Transcending Temptation

Photography by LaChele Claypool Ø Poetry by Michael Marrotti

It’s been a few
new years
resolutions
since the last time
I’ve made that same
mistake

The one where
accusations fly
over going out
to perform at
an Open Mic

The one where
every phone call
or text message
paints me in
a guilty light
affirming her suspicion

Recently
I’ve been devoted
to keeping it kosher
since the last time
I succumbed
to the temptation of
a Jewish mistress

I considered
the advice of
my fellow Christian
by turning
the other cheek
faithfully speaking

Keeping
my zipper up
to the sky
riding along
with my high
and inhibitions

Just saying no
like Nancy Reagan
is a task of simplicity
when nobody wants
to be involved with
my chemical imbalance
or lack of many inches

Every man
has his weakness
or in my case
extended list

I’d prefer
to have surpassed
all this running around
preliminary hearings
and pleading the fifth

But nothing
is guaranteed
when the
horrendous content
of my poetry
contradicts my
physical appearance

Michael Marrotti is an author from Pittsburgh, using words instead of violence to mitigate the suffering of life in a callous world of redundancy. His primary goal is to help other people. He considers poetry to be a form of philanthropy. When he’s not writing, he’s volunteering at the Light Of Life homeless shelter on a weekly basis. If you appreciate the man’s work, please check out his book, F.D.A. Approved Poetry, available at Amazon.

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