The Monster Within
April 14th, 2007 by 
dani
I’m the responsible one who
is always on time
covers for her boss
bakes chocolate chip cookies
does the laundry
tucks the kids into bed
pulls weeds from the garden
recycles
votes conscientiously
invests her savings
visits elderly relatives
donates to charity
Stifling the selfish one who wants to
sleep ’til noon
drink herself silly
dance until 4AM
cheat on her husband
smoke weed and take drugs
devise elaborate lies
tell people off
not give a fuck
steal a fortune and spend it all
get on a plane for anywhere
run away.
With my mid-life crisis
thundering towards me,
I’m hoping the muzzle
will be strong enough
to keep me from running.
Posted in Poetry | 
April 15th, 2007 at 1:41 am
Isn’t it interesting how so much of our time is spent fighting urges and doing the right thing. As personal as this post was for you, I am sure that a lot of us can closely relate.
April 15th, 2007 at 3:11 am
I can relate- sometimes it is hard being a grown-up… Why can’t I be selfish too???
April 15th, 2007 at 7:59 am
Great poem with which many people can identify. The key is balance, isn’t it - never all of one and none of the other.
April 15th, 2007 at 8:03 am
Sometimes balancing is not easy. Coping takes up lot of our energy.
April 15th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
I’ll be there when you want to drink yourself silly
I can really relate and am sure I am not the only one
April 15th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
this is really powerful, especially the image of the muzzle and the looming mid-life crisis. your portrait of the “responsible” one reminded me a little of the figure of “Commendable” in Jeni Couzyn’s poem ‘House of Changes’ - that same idea of being presentable to others. I really liked this poem, and I hope that you can find some kind of in-between…
April 15th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Here’s hoping maybe a little bit of the monster within can sneak out once in awhile.
April 15th, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Well you don’t want to be over-responsible…..
April 15th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Loved the contrasts. I hate feeling guilt when I take time for me.
April 16th, 2007 at 2:50 am
Oh my, mid-life is almost upon me and now I’m scared! Hang in there! You can do it!
April 17th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Pretty powerful. Those urges within can seem overwhelming at times.