Between Want and Praise | Teen Ink

Between Want and Praise

June 26, 2009
By BonsaiNinja GOLD, Hamilton, Ohio
BonsaiNinja GOLD, Hamilton, Ohio
10 articles 0 photos 5 comments

As soon as I step outside
And talk of scandal, ratty Randal,
You know what you do?
There is a clap and a smile and controversy
Waiting for me, wrapped in newsprint and teeth.
But if I wrote to my heart’s content,
Told all manner of virtue and true feeling
I’d be alone with angry ink in my hands
And tsk, tsk wet in my ear.


The author's comments:
This piece is a very personal one, but it was also influenced by Leo Tolstoy's commentary on him writing of controversial things and being praised; but as soon as he wrote of what he truly wanted, he was criticised. I understand if it is a little hard to understand; it is just raw feeling.

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This article has 1 comment.


on Jul. 13 2009 at 5:41 pm
SilverDawn GOLD, Burnaby, Other
10 articles 0 photos 297 comments
Wow, nice. Honestly, yeah, I didn't understand it the first time through but after reading your explaination, it became easier to understand. The last line still bugs me but I'm guessing his ear's wet because people are yelling at him (some ppl spit when they talk, right?)? haha, but very very nice poem! (: