Poetry Magazines - The best collection of poetry magazines online - Simon Armitage

I sense the presence of many in attendance
Jealous contenders who resent my intentions
Wrestling the pressure of an endless resemblance
Compels me to pen some senseless amendments

Obsessed with respect and attaining perfection
I sit frustrated in a state of dejection
This allays the pain but I evade it's affection
Basically because I'm afraid of rejection

Young husbands with an abundance of judgements
At their lunches and functions munching assumptions
I touch comfort; almost accomplish the substance
But hunger to stun makes the dumbest adjustments

if I must conquer hardship I beseech for the pain
Saddle me with hassles that will weaken my frame
I am reeking of shame as I am speaking in vain
As deep down it seems all I am seeking is fame

Do I deserve the special blessing of eminence?
I assess my expression and question the eloquence
The search for rhyme causes messy irrelevance
Bless my sentiments the essence of elegance

I yearn the worth of those earlier works
The verve, the thirst of a sturdier verse
The very depth, every breath I am further immersed
Murdered by a surge of worthier words

I wipe from my dry eyes the cries of anxiety
My soul weeps frightening sighs of sobriety
Should I write quietly, abide with propriety?
Then die a failure in the eyes of society

As my Dad labours daily and displays his bravery
He made the same wages and gave them to me
Still I sit and gaze at these pages lazily
Enraged as that ain't going to save his slavery

He'd toil and though he couldn't afford it he'd spoil me
But I never secured what he thought his boy would be
I don't want to be embroidered in royalties
Just give me enough for rewarding their loyalties

Who will hear my request and its futility?
Why must I always question my ability?
I'm on my knees please bless me the proficiency,
I'm not sure if this is good enough.