November 12, 2022

Episode 15: Terrible Potential

1 hour 20 minutes

TERRIBLE POTENTIAL

I see it now

For years I only sensed it

Or saw the dissipating dust tails of its approach

But it filled me with terror

And there was no cover or protection

So I ran

As fast as my child stride could take me

Not even knowing what it was –

Only that it was coming

But that made the fear so much more

In my little mind

So I ran harder

Until I forgot why I was running –

Only knowing that I couldn’t stop

But I see it now

Its shape is fluid and undefined

And its terrible potential fills my mind

I want to keep running – retreating

But it won’t stop and

It’s closing the gap and

It’s more terrible than I ever thought

But its real – I see it now

And I know

There’s no escape, there never was.

But I want to keep running anyway

Until it overtakes me

I won’t see it coming; it will just happen and be done

But my insufficient legs refuse to carry me anymore

So I prostrate myself as an offering

I know you’re coming, I whisper,

And I offer myself willingly

This is not defeat, I reassure myself

Then lower my eyes

And brace for its fury

But my mind keeps moving – defiantly

It knows truths that my body forgot

And reminds me:

You were born with claws

And they’re with you still –

And I remember and feel them

They are deep, but I feel them and they are there

So, I raise my body from the dirt and

My eyes to the distance

It is closer now – the gap disappearing

But not my fear. My fear is growing

(broadcast loudly by my beating heart)

But I no longer want to run

Nor offer myself willingly

Instead, I watch it come and I wait – in fear, true

But I wait to receive it

And I steady myself.

I have claws and I feel them

And I will meet it face to face

I have terrible potential too

I feel it now.

I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at [email protected].

If you're interested, my poetry that I read on this podcast was recently published in my book My Mother Sleeps which is available at

Amazon.com

and

The King's English Bookshop

Special Guest: Justino Foster.

...more

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By Scott Edgar

1010 ratings

November 12, 2022

Episode 15: Terrible Potential

1 hour 20 minutes

TERRIBLE POTENTIAL

I see it now

For years I only sensed it

Or saw the dissipating dust tails of its approach

But it filled me with terror

And there was no cover or protection

So I ran

As fast as my child stride could take me

Not even knowing what it was –

Only that it was coming

But that made the fear so much more

In my little mind

So I ran harder

Until I forgot why I was running –

Only knowing that I couldn’t stop

But I see it now

Its shape is fluid and undefined

And its terrible potential fills my mind

I want to keep running – retreating

But it won’t stop and

It’s closing the gap and

It’s more terrible than I ever thought

But its real – I see it now

And I know

There’s no escape, there never was.

But I want to keep running anyway

Until it overtakes me

I won’t see it coming; it will just happen and be done

But my insufficient legs refuse to carry me anymore

So I prostrate myself as an offering

I know you’re coming, I whisper,

And I offer myself willingly

This is not defeat, I reassure myself

Then lower my eyes

And brace for its fury

But my mind keeps moving – defiantly

It knows truths that my body forgot

And reminds me:

You were born with claws

And they’re with you still –

And I remember and feel them

They are deep, but I feel them and they are there

So, I raise my body from the dirt and

My eyes to the distance

It is closer now – the gap disappearing

But not my fear. My fear is growing

(broadcast loudly by my beating heart)

But I no longer want to run

Nor offer myself willingly

Instead, I watch it come and I wait – in fear, true

But I wait to receive it

And I steady myself.

I have claws and I feel them

And I will meet it face to face

I have terrible potential too

I feel it now.

I'd love to hear what you have to say about the episode including thoughts on the poetry and the topics that were discussed. You can email me at [email protected].

If you're interested, my poetry that I read on this podcast was recently published in my book My Mother Sleeps which is available at

Amazon.com

and

The King's English Bookshop

Special Guest: Justino Foster.

...more

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Episode 15: Terrible Potential

Episode 15: Terrible Potential