To my Nemesis

[Jerryk]

To my Nemesis

Falsehood is a serpent’s probing tongue,
your vengeance is the hurtful dragon tooth
that lies in wait to sting the unaware.

I dare not remove these worn shoes and rest;
once again I rush with the rising gale, certain
of only this: the echo of my silent exit will precede
me far ahead of these fleeting feet. No respite
for this exile. Already I know, you will spur me on
as though I were the Wandering Jew, but twofold cursed.

I must bear you, the vengeful albatross
I don’t deserve, around my neck. Be content,
my nemesis; you win. This cautious chameleon
retreats among familiar acanthus leaves to blink--
pump--and ponder this: What makes men accept
your slanderous words and close their minds to truth?

But I know the answer:
“Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow,
thou shalt not escape calumny.” (Hamlet)

[dwells]

Gee whiz Jerry - something new for you and awesomely outstanding in the presentation and characterization.
Bullies often excel in these types of rumor and half-truths and our current social media gobbles it all up as gospel. Sometimes I feel like a teething ring for baby dragons, cheers! - Dan

[Jerryk]

Gee whiz Jerry - something new for you and awesomely outstanding in the presentation and characterization.
Bullies often excel in these types of rumor and half-truths and our current social media gobbles it all up as gospel. Sometimes I feel like a teething ring for baby dragons, cheers! - Dan

"Teething ring for baby dragons"? I have to remember this line, lol.
Thanks for the comment, Dan; my write is mostly an exercise in venting
mild frustration. It's nearly impossible not to become the target for idle gossip.
Appreciate your thoughts.
Jerry

[karrie]

Oh this is just so good! I was quite caught up in each line!

[Jerryk]

Oh this is just so good! I was quite caught up in each line!

Thanks for the nice comment, Karrie;
maybe I should have posted my write in Misc. Seems to me that I wrote those words in anger, but I no longer recall what that anger had been about; must have been no big deal. (That's the good thing about old age: one forgets, lol.) But, I have always been guided by R.W. Emerson's words of wisdom: " For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Appreciate your comment, Karrie.
Jerry

[Josie]

It really doesn't matter that we can't recall the event that leads to the hurt. What you did here was catch that terrible moment of pain, that I'm sure most of us have experienced. I like to think that when you can't remember, it is because what ever it was, could be forgiven and forgotten. Thank you for sharing this poem. Congratulations on the TPS Spotlight.

[Jerryk]

It really doesn't matter that we can't recall the event that leads to the hurt. What you did here was catch that terrible moment of pain, that I'm sure most of us have experienced. I like to think that when you can't remember, it is because what ever it was, could be forgiven and forgotten. Thank you for sharing this poem. Congratulations on the TPS Spotlight.

Josie,
I'm one of those "Easy to Laugh and Easy to Cry guys; in the end, it's their loss. It's off my chest by now, lol. Thanks for reading, the nice comment, and the congrats.
Jerry

[Jim]

There is no escaping it.
Time is on your side
The truth always comes out eventually.
Congrats on another spotlight!
Peace
Jim

[JASON]

Nicely done old timer!! congrats on the accolade.
I sometimes think that adversity is necessary in life,
to keep us on our toes...

[Jerryk]

There is no escaping it.
Time is on your side
The truth always comes out eventually.
Congrats on another spotlight!
Peace
Jim

The truth does always surface--in time, Jim.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Much appreciated.
Jerry

[Jerryk]

Nicely done old timer!! congrats on the accolade.
I sometimes think that adversity is necessary in life,
to keep us on our toes...

Thanks for the congrats, Jason;
you are quite correct. A little adversity keeps us on our toes, plus it shows that someone is paying attention to a body, So, this is better than being ignored, lol. Much appreciated,
Jerry

[Windsend]

I have to say that you have truly outdone yourself friend. This is an unexpected gem that I would expect to find in some hidden, dusty and well sought after book of wisdom. In that same respect I feel just as lucky to have found this and read it. Outstanding! Thanks for posting Jerry.

[Jerryk]

I have to say that you have truly outdone yourself friend. This is an unexpected gem that I would expect to find in some hidden, dusty and well sought after book of wisdom. In that same respect I feel just as lucky to have found this and read it. Outstanding! Thanks for posting Jerry.

Hi there, Windsend;
you are more than kind. Yeah, I still have some of my more lucid moments when the brain awakens from the slumber of the aged, lol. At my age, it's hard to compete with the more agile mind of those younger ones; but every once in a while this old bird, too, catches the worm. Thanks very much for your generous comment; much appreciated,
Jerry