My delusion
is nothing like dragon-
shaped clouds with teeth
shallow as rain;
it’s not formed from vapor
not an elusive wind-carried mist,
but clay-sturdy,
a mud-man and shadow
following
darkly beside me.
My delusion
is not an illusion,
it’s never my friend but the stalker
with ember-eyes glowing, always
my consciousness echo or dreams,
my delusion is me and myself.
Content With My Delusions- J.Hurlbert
Today Linda hosts dVerse poetics and brings our attention to Jacquline Hurlbert and her paintings. We are given a choice of different painting to write to, and my choice fell upon the painting above.
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May 18, 2019
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Wow!!!
I like the way in which you described the delusion, comparing it to a shadow is a really unique way of describing it, because we often perceive it as something foreign, attached to us, and not our own.
I like that darkness and delusion as part of ourselves. I specially like how you framed this as: clay-sturdy, a mud-man and shadow
following
darkly beside me.
I love your description here Bjorn of how you and your delusion are one. Marvelous!
That last stanza says it all. Great response to this particular painting…hand in hand.
Yes that is how we are. A part of our conscience that always pulls us to the darker side. I love how you used this picture to visualize it.
This is like Harvey’s alter ego, the shadow and the darkness at our heart perhaps.
Often one’s delusion is a built.in problem.
I like how you say what it isn’t before you say what it is. I wrote to this one also.
Nice last line about the identity of the delusion.
The lines where you say “my delusion” “not an illusion” are really powerful. They have a fantastic punch to them.
This appeals to the metaphysician in me, especially your last line – so true. Well done, Bjorn!
Insightful look at our personal delusion…”me and myself”. Good one, Bjorn!
So much a part of us is our conscience, the side of us we don’t always agree with yet is an important part of our psyche. Nice, Bjorn.
SO very profound, our worst and only real enemy is our own delusions …
nice Bjorn, we both went dreamscape, to poetry land
much love
I like how you describe all things it is not, and then end with the recognition of what it is.
My delusion was a friend, not a stalker. 🙂
Very nice use of the painting! We are the delusion that hunts us. It is our lack of self worth! Very good!
I really liked the idea of the shadow beside me….
You have captured the darker side of our delusions, my consciousness echo or dream. Sometimes, I wonder about my dreams?
Your words are always a delight to read. Love it.
You really captured the creepiness of these two contrasting linked figures – your golem reference was wonderful. Good job owning your stuff! I too particularly liked “my illusion is not a delusion”
Really love that you caught the Golum reference… 🙂
So much in this! Yes we are our own delusion often.
mud-man and shadow–what a great layering of images! (K)
Wonderful interpretation of Jacquline’d art. Well written Björn.
Excellent.