Interesting….hey, a thousand bucks is a thousand bucks. I’ve never been one for contests but you never know…..thank you!!

Hope you are doing well and thriving this Friday 13th!!!

I’m interested dearest Cipher it’s pretty cool you’re doing this I miss DU a lot I’m happy you are here ❤️

Hey both of you…

I was thinking of the logistics of such a contest…

I don’t even know how many former DUP members would be interested…

So I am thinking of doing maybe just an open book contest, not necessarily former DU members…

Will keep you posted…

Absolutely. Survival is never selling your soul. Nice;))

This cuts like a jagged blade—raw, relentless, and unflinching.
You’ve carved the chaos of guilt and power into verse that doesn’t beg for mercy, it demands it.

“Bloodshot brain struggles to recognize.” A lot of powerful lines, but this right here, I think, hits the hardest. So much is happening, so many of us walking around dazed and confused, so many of us see what’s going on and struggle to make sense of it, so many of us find it hard to process, we look away, hide behind comforts, behind lies, behind whatever makes it digestible. Loved this!

Well done Damian. This one cuts deeps and lets the truth ooze out into our consciousness. Perfect!

Survival.. its the only logical way to go forward .. Muchly enjoyed .. thankfully with my soul intact .. Neville

I love a great write about survival.
There have been times where I tell myself to get through the next few hours.
Just get through it and it will be fine.
Then the next and the next.

One of my ‘good or bad” traits is that I don’t back down from anything. I have no problem questioning literally anything that seems wrongish. Your write reminds me of that. How the masses fall off the cliffs blindly, not hesitating or asking why.
You’ve been on quite an artistic soapbox lately. Stand tall, preach it brother. You’re a natural.

I wish more of them would admit their wrong-mindedness when Truth hits them. But they seem to double down on their willful ignorance and continue their zombie march. Fueled by the love of division and dominance. Too blind to recognize they’re being dominated by their white messiah. This time has definitely brought the hate and ugliness out in broad daylight. It’s always been there, but not as overtly. When the dust settles and (hopefully) decency as returned to the top, they’ll ooze grudgingly back into their sewers. But we will always know they’re there and remember who they really are. Never sell the soul…powerful indeed, my friend

This is a thought-provoking piece.

Thanks Fia….

Powerfully penned, Peter. Excellent write my friend. Appreciate you.

Damian

A quiet, stoic acceptance. Letting go takes real strength. I am beginning to learn myself. Thank you.

Passionately penned, Brenda. Amazing write my friend, incredible flow throughout especially that first stanza. Appreciate you.

Damian

Underrated word, ‘connive’. Very expressive. Like a baleful but seductive energy straight from the Abyss….

This is not a poem. This is a black magic charming spell. 😀

Whew, chilling. The mind reacting to itself. Creative way to explore the tension between control and chaos, intimacy and decay. I’ve never been much of an introspective writer; at least I’ve never sat down and said I’m going to write in that way. And while your piece is indirectly introspective, given the abstract images, it does make me think. its the way you show a mind caught in strange, looping thoughts while trying to make meaning of overwhelming feelings. Anyway i’m rambling, this was short and sweet.