Koinophobia

FLSKHU

  ZH DUH DOO OLDUV,

  ZH ZLOO DOO EXUQ LQ WKH ILUHV,

  WUXWK LV QRW RXU ZRUG,

  LW LV RXU FDJHG ELUG,

  ZH OLH DERXW RXU KRSHV,

  RXU OLHV DUH WDQJOHG URSHV,

  ZH OLH DERXW RXU GUHDPV,

  ZKLOH FRPLQJ DSDUW DW WKH VHDPV,

  ZH OLH DERXW RXU IHHOLQJV,

  DQG ZH UHMHFW WKHLU KHDOLQJV,

  ZH OLH DERXW RXU OLHV,

  ZH DUH DOO OLDUV LQ GLVJXLVH,

  ZH DUH OLDUV, WKLV LV WUXH,

  EXW GR QRW OHW WKLV GHILQH BRX,

  WKH WUXWK GZHOOV LQ BRXU PLQG,

  GLJ GHHS DQG BRX VKDOO ILQG,

  D WUXWK JUHDWHU WKDQ JROG,

  ZH ZLOO DOO RI XV JURZ ROG,

  EXW WKRVH RI XV ZKR GR QRW OLH,

  WKHB DUH WKH RQHV ZKR ZLOO QHYHU GLH!

  WKDQN BRX IRU OLVWHQLQJ.

  Technical Aspect: The poem is enciphered using a simple replacement cipher in which each letter corresponds to a letter 3 places away in the alphabet (e.g. A becomes D). The key was given in the original post’s title POEM/SRHP.

  Explanation: And here we have one of my more unusual poems, truly befitting the name of a Technical Poem. FLSKHU, or to give it its proper name, CIPHER, was another creative experiment with which I could gauge the limits of Technical Poetry. Going far beyond the most difficulty worded poems available to us; I created one that needed a keen mind and active participation in order to reveal its true message.

  I personally relish the moment in which my mind “clicks” and I see the answer. For me, “eureka” moment gives me a sense of accomplishment and makes me feel as though I have just solved a tough problem. Through CIPHER, I want you to experience this same “eureka” moment as you finish decoding the poem and reveal the true message.

  We live in a world of lies and half-truths, so why should poetry be exempt from those concepts? Will you accept the lies that you are told and move on to emiT?

  Or will you rebel against the deception before you and uncover the truth?

  The choice lies with you.

  And for those of you who consider yourself above simple codebreaking, I have included the deciphered poem below:

  WE ARE ALL LIARS,

  WE WILL ALL BURN IN THE FIRES,

  TRUTH IS NOT OUR WORD,

  IT IS OUR CAGED BIRD,

  WE LIE ABOUT OUR HOPES,

  OUR LIES ARE TANGLED ROPES,

  WE LIE ABOUT OUR DREAMS,

  WHILE COMING A