The Conspiracy: Sestina
I wrote this before and after SEX. So the SEX made me do it. At least it motivated me to finish it. Because at one point I was thinking, what in the world am I saying, then it started making sense. Then it didn’t. Then it did. So this was a battle to complete. Will you accept the challenge to read, dear one? ♥️🤗

How come — we stand in the dark
If we can't make our shadows cry
Lamp post —too tall —along our path
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But we cannot touch our own hearts
Where is the hope —if it’s too wide and far to leave
A place with degrees — to burn a bush we hide to seek
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Why is it we watch the things they do —if it leaves out at dusk
They say it’s the way to make a splash on our path
Too hard to trust, you’ll shave your head —frustrated — leave
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They’ll say truth can’t breathe, but then stifle it with a cry
They know it all —but they will watch you in the dark
Many lies too vague not to rip the page — right to seek
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We all hate conspiracies, they track the trust at dusk
If light leaves —bare —we’d have a reason to cry
Let the lantern burn so we can freely seek
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In the same week feeble bodies crash at dark
Dozed off, till we are dosed off — too sick to walk the path
Coded with a leash, titled: can’t breathe — can’t leave
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No kids to feed —never really stacked to leave
We drop the films —the weed we — go from wed to seek
Tender because of love, so you’re given the gift to cry
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They will always say that alcohol and porn is the narrow path
Betting on your trust worthiness they'll burn your hands in the dark
If you save too much they’ll rip from you and cast the stones till you leave
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Only the poor the light will greet — shine on — it’s time for dark
Sobering —considering sparks in the Lanterns cry
Dry your eyes, it’s hard for death to set the time to leave
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They will throw you on the broadened and wide path
Brand you on the forehead until it’s time to face the dusk
Kind and humbling selling you hopes and dreams to seek
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Less time to spend —settle in the gloaming
Stay awake —distractions —branded as the face of dusk
Write to the world the lies they seek in resignation to leave
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Find happiness build dreams and hope to seek
Go bump in the chambers, set laws and dine the tears to cry
Vices are good, virtues are bad —the only way to the narrow path
~Caitlin Charlton ~ CC
About the Creator
Caitlin Charlton
poetry too close to home
🪄~unique fictional stories 💎 you’ve never known 🪄
📖~ let me read your work, say hi to me, I will leave comments longer than the road, please do return ~ 🙏🏽
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~ married👰💍 ~
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes



Comments (9)
Sestinas are such a challenge that I’ve only written three in my life, one was dismally unsuccessful, and I hope no one ever punishes themselves by reading it. One thing I love about the rigid structure and close repetition is how it frees my mind—I not only make my thoughts fit the form, but so become aware of what gets left out, bringing me closer to my own awareness. Well done here. https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/sestina-1o1k0e0hnp%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cstyle data-emotion-css="w4qknv-Replies">.css-w4qknv-Replies{display:grid;gap:1.5rem;}
https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/last-sandcastle%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
This one feels heavy but hopeful at the same time. Great work!
Hope you weren't thinking about this while we were having sex. On second thoughts, I don't want to know. 😊😊 Another wonderfully complex poem, Caitlin, that twists and turns you out and the right way again. Great job, nice twist on the prompt.
A winding path to contemplation. Great job.
This is a poem that just about covers living in so many different ways. Good job.
This is such a complex and thought-provoking poem you've woven together so many powerful themes about truth, trust, and finding light in darkness. The imagery of lamp posts, lanterns, and shadows creates this haunting landscape where people are searching for authenticity in a world full of contradictions.
So many emotions stirred. Thoughts nudged by such desire and wonder. Wonderfully written
"If you save too much they’ll rip from you and cast the stones till you leave" "Betting on your trust worthiness they'll burn your hands in the dark" "We all hate conspiracies, they track the trust at dusk" "They’ll say truth can’t breathe, but then stifle it with a cry" "A place with degrees — to burn a bush we hide to seek" "How come — we stand in the dark If we can't make our shadows cry" Omgggg, I loved these lines sooooo muchhhhhh! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍