June 21st, 1978 10:30 a.m. poetry by Michael F. Nyiri

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"Exclusions in Thought, Conclusions of Shame"  Cathy poem


Little demons are always dancing around our heads
We try like hell to shoo them away
        and they keep bouncing back
        whispering things in our ears
        distorting reality - then laughing with glee

We use common sense to thwart these demons
Some times they are too strong
        and they prove sense illogical
        they scream at our composure
        until it breaks and all hell breaks free

Can we control the demons? We try we try.
We try like hell.
        and sometimes it works
        but sometimes the demons work overtime
        and little things get blown out of proportion

I got blown out of proportion Sunday
And my demons felt successful
        I finally pushed them back Monday
        I realized the demons were at fault
        I built perspective out of distortion.

Now
        I can only wonder
        Did your demons get to you, too?
        Did they whisper in your ear?
        And contort the situation
        Were you feeling the way you wanted to feel?
        Or did your demons succeed.

I kept feeling demons trying to
destroy our friendship with
utterly foolish machinations
I felt suddenly ashamed
And stupid
        And my demons raced away

If they ever come back
        I will yell at them
            And not at you.
                I am sorry.

Please don't take your demons
        across the sea with you.

1978

copyright 2001 Michael F. Nyiri