Hate Me
It wasn't my intention to cast a pall. In truth, I was searching for a particular poem about flowers. I kid you not.
In the process, I came across a poem I wrote a few years ago. Those of you who know me (if only just a little bit) know that I don't often post a poem that I, myself, have composed. It's just 'cuz I'm no poet...
(and friends don't let friends read bad poetry).
Still.
I decided to post this particular poem. Not that it's good. 'Cuz it's not. Not that it's sophisticated. No. It's doggerel.
But it's honest and true. Sometimes, that's enough. Sometimes...
there's precious little else.
HATE ME
Hate me for my sins
Hate me for my flaws
Hate me for my doubts and failures
Hate me for my fears and weakness
Hate me for the man I was
Hate me for the man I am
Damn it, hate ME!
I am not a fabrication
Not your wayward father
Nor a resurrected ghost
Not a best-forgotten lover
Nor a nightmare
Or a scapegoat
I am not a machination
I am NOT your creation
Go ahead and
In the process, I came across a poem I wrote a few years ago. Those of you who know me (if only just a little bit) know that I don't often post a poem that I, myself, have composed. It's just 'cuz I'm no poet...
(and friends don't let friends read bad poetry).
Still.
I decided to post this particular poem. Not that it's good. 'Cuz it's not. Not that it's sophisticated. No. It's doggerel.
But it's honest and true. Sometimes, that's enough. Sometimes...
there's precious little else.
HATE ME
Hate me for my sins
Hate me for my flaws
Hate me for my doubts and failures
Hate me for my fears and weakness
Hate me for the man I was
Hate me for the man I am
Damn it, hate ME!
I am not a fabrication
Not your wayward father
Nor a resurrected ghost
Not a best-forgotten lover
Nor a nightmare
Or a scapegoat
I am not a machination
I am NOT your creation
Go ahead and
Hate me
Hate me with fire
Hate me with passion
Hate me with fists
And curses and venom
Hate me intensely
But, damn it!
Hate ME!
* * *
posted by Jonas | 7/07/2009 08:54:00 PM
22 Comments:
Poetry is so open to interpretation and my mind is swirling with thoughts...hate is not the opposite of love. Like some great said, indifference is. To beg to be hated...is such a strong emotion still....I am fascinated by this.
I think this "poem" is best understood by anyone who has been vilified...hated...
for all the wrong reasons.
Hi, I stopped by via reading a comment you left at Selma's. This is quite an extradordinary poem. I immediately remembered a quotation by Coretta Scott King that went something like, "Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated." Your poem makes me think you are placing a great burden on those who most likely deserve it.
J~ There is no such thing as bad poetry.
And you're not the boss of me so even begging can't make me hate!
I had to read it a couple of times before I noticed the last line, it could just as easily read, See ME!, not somebody else.
that is exactly my kind of poetry,, rough and from the heart.. i think there is an inner poet in you jonas just dying to be set free...
thanks for sticking with me and making me feel loved even when i can't produce a proper poem to save my life...
First of all, I'm fut. I didn't know the rule about not subjecting people to bad poetry. My bad. Secondly, this is not bad. It's raw. And I don't know if that can ever be wrong. It speaks to me right now, one part of me. And it saddens me too 'cause to get to that level of hate is a very angry place. I want nothing of it.
Thanks for sharing Jonas.
Hate is easy. I like what Deb said: see me. But that's too much for a lot of people. Or love me, which is even harder.
I don't think hate is anything other than a surface reaction though, a way to compartmentalize fear. So I'm not sure someone can vilify you unless you let them. Just a thought.
Raw indeed. Thanks for posting it.
ps speaking of raw, how can you have two Def Leppard songs and not have Hysteria, one of the all time greats??.. magical mysteria..
From a totally naïve peace and loving perspective, if they truly got to know you for YOU then they would surely find their hatred turn into love.
That's the sort of thing my mom used to say to me when I was always being singled out growing up. It would be absolutely true in a perfect world. For a few of us individuals, I know it's possible to reach that understanding.
if friends don't let friends read bad poetry, i am no friend...
this poem makes me think a lot of things, actually (and it isn't at all bad poetry if it makes you think or feel or react at all)...
it makes me think begging to be hated is to beg to be cared about... better to be hated than not thought of at all...
it also makes me think of the way others impose their own version of the way another person ought to be onto them... creating a myth of who a person should be... and who they should be in relation to themselves... because after all, most people are searching for this mythological perfect being they have created in their own fantasies...
and then, i relate to it personally... for i have been hated... and being hated is mostly always for the wrong reasons... when someone projects onto someone else their own made-up fantasy of the perfect person, it will inevitably end in despair for them both... this despair will make them lash out at the person who failed to live up to the dream they concocted in their own head...
and i'm quite sure i have also done this to others as well... most of us have...
Quite an eclectic gaggle of comments! Thank you.
It's always fascinating to read how people interpret others' thoughts/musings/poetry. It's an eye-opener and open eyes are very good things.
As I mentioned, I wrote that poem years ago, at a specific time and in a specific context. There's no need for me to revisit the particulars. Deb and Joanne touched on the essence of it...it's all about seeing versus projecting, reality versus personal demonology.
I'm no fan of negative emotions. They poison or destroy...many. Trust me on this, I'm not hungering to be hated.
As for my poetic "prowess", one of my earliest blog entries provided a summary: Poetic Musings
Nowadays, if I allow my inner poet to venture into the light of day, the "poet" blinks and rubs his eyes in the glare of day...and scurries back into hiding.
Still, I truly appreciate the kind words and encouragement, I love all of you for that.
As for my Playlist. I rectified my egregious error. I aim to please.
Ooops. Try this:
Poetic Musings
Some of the best poetry is unrelenting. A passionate release that diffuses embattled emotions.
...this coming from someone who has indeed been hated and vilified. Sometimes for the right reasons.
Hated for the "right reasons", Stephanie!?!
There are no "right reasons" to hate.
Thinking about this again, I'm reminded that sometimes I prefer to be hated than liked. Somehow it's easier to deal with. When someone likes me and shows it I'm always asking myself "but why?". When they hate me I don't question it. For some reason it almost seems more honest. And I can just hate them back without guilt or remorse. I know we're not supposed to express those feelings, but that makes it all the more special when I have the opportunity to. Most people are much nicer than I'll ever be. I say hatred is a good thing—as long as it doesn't get out of control. Who wants to be loving EVERYBODY ALL OF THE TIME? That would just get boring. Besides, love and hate are just two sides of the same coin, right?
Smiler, so if hate is honest and easy and gives permission to be returned in kind... we just have to resign ourselves to war and genocide and child abuse and all those other honest things?
No offense--maybe you were kidding-- but hate is never acceptable. Never.
Congratulations of getting to that point in your life where you've been so well-loved, it's boring.
Let's not be haters, m-kay?
I understand what you mean, Smiler. Hate seemingly "absolves" the hated for reciprocal emotions. Therein lies the problem. I'm filled with regret for having been there and done that at times. No good ever comes of it.
Are hate and love opposite sides of the coin? It doesn't feel that way to me. Hate/anger seem to come from dark corners and deep shadows. The more loving and bright the heart, the less room for hate, no?
I gotta say, I've never been bored by love. At times, though, I've been numbed by being hated.
No such thing as bad poetry? Of course there is. I was checking my email once and there was this google ad:
Sponsored Links
Publish Your Bad Poetry
We’re not saying it’s bad.
But, it is. And that’s ok.
www.verybadpoetry.com
Hello, Alia! I'm laughing. Sounds like the perfect venue for me.
I like the passion and intensity and raw need in your poem. It has a great rhythm and tone to it. You could never write anything bad.
Awwwww, Selma...you are too kind! If you were anywhere near arms' reach, I'd give you a great big hug!
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