Drowning Man



In attempts to rescue another from distress,
saviors must be cautious
lest they succumb to stress.

Lurking codependence can creep-up unaware.
Deviant conditions
control the whole affair.

Helping the disabled can cause a handicap.
Serving isn't bondage
in a slavery trap.

Caregivers of the ill should not be depleted.
Without concern for all
purpose is defeated.

Dutiful assistance has built-in restriction.
Even with boundless love
there is circumscription.

Beware the drowning man with a desperate grasp.
He will pull you under
with a grave, lethal gasp.
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Submitted on February 05, 2010

Modified on April 10, 2023

26 sec read
11

Quick analysis:

Scheme AXA BXB CXC XXX DXD EXE
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 538
Words 86
Stanzas 6
Stanza Lengths 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Wallace Dean LaBenne

Professor, therapist, author and poet. more…

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