Carl Halling
Carl Halling
Oct 12, 2020

Some Sad Dark Secret

‘Temper your enthusiasm,’
She said,
‘The extremes of your reactions;
You should have
A more conventional frame
On which to hang
Your unconventionality.’
‘Don’t push people,’
She said,
‘You make yourself vulnerable.’

Was I hiding
Some sad
Dark secret from the world?

She told me not to rhapsodise,
That it would be difficult,
Impossible, perhaps,
For me to harness my dynamism.
The tone of my work,
She said,
Is often a little dubious.
She said
She thought
That there was something wrong.

As if I was hiding
Some sad
Dark secret from the world.

About This Poem

Last Few Words: 'Some Sad Dark Secret' was inspired by words spoken to me by a former tutor and mentor of mine at university in London, as well as my own reflections on them in the shape of makeshift journal entries. She passed in 2008, I am proud to say I spoke at her funeral, and she was laid to rest in the churchyard of St Martin’s Church, Bladon, close by to the grave of Sir Winston Churchill, who was the subject of one of her published books. Thank you, Margaret.

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back

Editing Stage: Editing - polished draft

About the Author

Country/Region: London Metropolitan Area.

Favorite Poets: William Shakespeare

More from this author

Comments

Carl Halling

Thanks, Teddy, I have posted this piece a good few times over the years, yes years, and never noticed that typo! yes, she did, and that is perhaps so, she believed in me as a writer and thinker with a fierce passion, one day I might fulfill something of the faith she had in me, and yes she sure does, and always will. Carl.

Ray Whitaker

“Right, Right, You’re Bloody Well Right.” Or maybe the “ The Logical Song” even more. I guess this is you defending you against the swelling tides. I like it.