By: Larry Jaffe



The Temple has been invaded


The Temple has been invaded
by factotums of lesser gods
and rude women
smoking cigarettes
using ugly children as
ashtrays.

Good afternoon
the dream is over
please lay down
your hopes
and nightmares
reality has begun.

That’s right
move peacefully
how could
you possibly
resist what you
want
so desperately
want.

It is time to
take a shower
bathe in manifest destiny
and arrest
internal rhythms.

Reset your moral
compass
true north
was never true
to you
let your
guide be your
conscience.

You grew up
as an enigma
now merely
a pawn
in your own
aspirations.

Can you now
give back
what has
never been taken?

A rose gun
by any other
name
still shoots
thorns.

And now it is
time to pay
penitence
for lost causes
while walking
in goosesteps.


© lgjaffe 1999


Send private comments to author: larry@jaffe2.com

Learn more about author at: http://www.lgjaffe.com/index.html




Comments: hmm- watch out where you step when the geese are around-
heavy duty- man- heavy duty

Name: val magnuson
EMail: valmag@prodigy.net



Comments: Please send me a pound of whatever it is you have been smoking!

Name: phattkat



Comments: Now this is poetry:

A rose gun
by any other
name
still shoots
thorns.

True North was never true to you ... intriguing notion too.

Nice job.
Name: RhymeMaster
EMail: rhymer01@thewritersnook.com



Comments: Seig Heil!! Very forceful Larry...gives me chills.

Name: Ed Allen
EMail: eallen553@aol.com



Comments: I liked it but.. I want two pounds of what you are smoking please :)

Name: Lynda Brezigar
EMail: valkyrie@optushome.com.au



Comments: Its disgusting, I think you hate women, I'm surprised at the comment by Lynda as well, how can you smile at something
like this hatred of women?

Name: Amy Leigh
EMail: charro@cfet.net.au



Comments: Ryhmemaster, you are so right. Once agian Larry Jaffe excels and pushes the boundarys of language.
Imagery so stark in reality you can taste it and a punch line like a David Tua uppercut...larry pulls no punches.
This is the work of a leading contempory poet.

Name: doug poole
EMail: doug@visual.co.nz



Comments: Keep an open mind Amy, not all women are paragons of virtue.
A poet should be allowed to express him/herself. I actually thought it was quite good although a little harsh. But hey! thats life :)

Name: Lynda Brezigar
EMail: valkyrie@optushome.com.au



Comments: hi.. thank you all for kind comments or criticism... am a little surprised about the comment re: women.
probably the poem would have worked just as well if i said rude men and women.. in hindsight that is really more what i meant..
but for some reason i had this vision of a woman wearing a hat with veil like in the 40's. that was what was in my mind.. anyway.. thanks for the input.. it is appreciated

Name: larry
EMail: larry@lgjaffe.com



Comments: Right on Larry.. I thought of the same type of woman smoking one of those long cigarettes.
No matter what sex you write about somebody will feel compelled to defend. And not all of us can write about plants or vegetables.
Your poem sparked a reaction and thats what we all want. Keep up the good work!

Name: Lynda Brezigar
EMail: valkyrie@optushome.com.au



Comments: You do clobber us over the head with the language of the poet.
Your poems are powerful and compelling. A bit caustic ,however, when you choose to tell and not show with the language.
Just an opinion. I agree with Doug Poole. You are a fine leading contemporary poet.

Name: ZZ
EMail: veemer@aol.com



Comments: Very acute observation, Ed. This is quite an intriguing poem.

Name: RhymeMaster
EMail: rhymer01@thewritersnook.com



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