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This is a space where men can share their perspectives on their inner journey. The form can be prose, poetry, photographic or handcrafted images. The purpose is to stimulate, even minutely, the transformative process. All art strives to move us to a different place, that place of the soul, that initiatory space, where the call is heard and identity found. Please reverence the space by respectfully entering and sharing.

May, 2001

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Separating from the Narcissistic Mother
A poem by Jeff Bates
25 April 2001

Because I am grown now

I speak from my heart

My truth and impart

My own wisdom to the world...

A piece of prose, of music, a work or art

But not always as fits a preconceived mold

Won't fit, here.

Maybe this'll hold

Nope not enough

Wasn't expecting that to come out of your mouth

Now, here again, my life has fallen apart

You say, "I am so sorry you speak to me like you do,"

But why should you be sorry when it was I who said them to you?

It seems a strange reaction

My words to alter your mood

Yet once more, stepping back

Blaming me for telling you how I feel

When it's you who can't within reason conceal how I feel

Though you've tried, as you say, and I've for a season complied

As a result how through my life I've lied

To myself, to you, and I almost died.

But no more - not in an instant will I let a moment go by -

When I will stand by and not respond to what I feel and believe on the inside.

Though others with you comply - let them, let them, let them die!

Though not I.

It's like walking on eggshells - shh!

It's like a tightrope made of spaghetti.

When it seems you'd be celebrating and jumping for joy

And tossing confetti!

But no, not you!

It's as if my words have severed your spine

Sapped the life out of you once again

Weakened your knees, confused your mind

Caved you in and pushed you aside

My God mother, I'm not divine!