The Traps by John D Robinson

I set the traps myself and
then try and avoid them:
of course, I know what and
where the traps are and
how to avoid them but I
begin to create excuses,
reasons and justifications
for falling into the traps
and taking a little more
codeine, a little more of
diazepam and rolling too
many fat ones and too
many glasses of wine and
then I curse myself for
doing it, again, everyday
I plan and fail without
fail:
we all do the same I guess,
in one way of a kind, seek
things that offer comfort, a
temporary peace, a refuge
from the political, social,
theological, cultural,
artistic demands that keep
us bonded to this unmerciful
relentless machine that will
claim even our dust.

John D Robinson is a UK poet: hundreds of his poems have appeared in small press zines and online literary journals His published solo chapbooks are

‘Cowboy Hats & Railways’ (Scars Press 2016)   scars.tv/

‘When You Hear The Bell, There’s Nowhere To Hide’ (Holy&intoxicated Publications 2016   sold out)

‘An Outlaw In The Making’  (Scars Publications 2017)

‘Hitting Home’  (Iron Lung Press 2018  2nd edition)   ironlungpress.bigcartel.com/about-iron–lung–press

‘In Pursuit Of  Shadows’  (Analog Submission Press 2018  sold out)  www.analogsubmission.com

‘Echoes Of Diablo’  (Concrete Meat Press 2018)  adrianmanning.wixsite.com/concretemeatpress

Too Many Drinks Ago’  (Paper & Ink Zine Publications) http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PaperAndInkZine

Pushing Away The Hours    2018   www.lulu.com/.../john-d-robinson/pushing-away-the-hours/.../product-23872337.html 

‎ ‘Hang In There’      (Uncollected Press  2019    USA)  therawartreview.com