Sometimes in life we try to make sense of conflict by using the emotional tools at our disposal. Because every action is powered by a motive, I imagine that we could easily confuse our weapons and our wounds. How on earth would you know the difference without some personal insight? Choosing the right one can make all the difference- whether you’re the aggressor or the oppressed.
like a distant memory were the red clouds of rage that
filled the doorway at the end of a work day
like an awful nightmare were the weaponised
words that burrowed and clawed relentlessly-but I’ve learned to separate my wounds from my weapons-
one set being honed and sharpened for defence
the other set, healing quickly as I see nothing but open skies
I watch fear scuttle away like the coward it is
as my words cascade in a tsunami of boiling ink
©Vivian Zems
Real Toads– Fussy Forms-Puente
Poetry United #432
December 9, 2018 at 10:41 am
A lovely idea beautifully expressed.
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December 9, 2018 at 11:50 am
The pen is still mightier! (Also safer.)
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December 9, 2018 at 12:13 pm
“…we could easily confuse our weapons and our wounds.” and the damage we could do, if the two are confused. Rather spill the ink. Powerful piece, Vivian!
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December 9, 2018 at 1:43 pm
I have realised that when I am conflicted, my emotional tool is a weapon of mass destruction, I could never make the right decision. Hence I have learnt the hard way to let go and like Rosemary said, the pen is still mightier and safer.
Do visit my blog at your convenience:
bowalexo.wordpress.com
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December 9, 2018 at 2:24 pm
Thank you for your comments- glad you let go now. Many of us react out of pain. As for blowing up my stats… I can only say 🙏🏾🙏🏾. I shall repay!!
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December 9, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Your bridging sentence is a killer… Such a positive outcome to the negative emotions.
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December 11, 2018 at 9:10 pm
🙏🏾
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December 9, 2018 at 2:41 pm
Whoosh!!!!
Yes indeed, wonderful when writing and wielding words can cause this result… one keeps going and trying, in my experience, for incremental healing over time.
Love this, Vivian. Love.
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December 11, 2018 at 9:09 pm
Thanks Marian😊
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December 9, 2018 at 2:57 pm
Separating wounds from weapons is no easy task, and I’m still not adept at it.
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December 11, 2018 at 9:09 pm
No easy task indeed!
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December 9, 2018 at 3:37 pm
I agree, your bridge is incredibly powerful and filled with wisdom! 💜
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December 10, 2018 at 1:46 pm
Thanks Sanaa!
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December 9, 2018 at 4:49 pm
I agree, we must take time to recognize and study such differences. Or we might find ourselves feeding the wrong one, or dismissing the one we must bring closer.
Love the intro.
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December 10, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Thanks Magaly! That’s why things get messy…we tend to pick the nearest one. 🙂
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December 9, 2018 at 5:24 pm
“I’ve learned to seperate my wounds from my weapons.” So much wisdom in that line. It is wonderfully arresting to the reader. Wonderfully expressed, Vivian.
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December 9, 2018 at 9:52 pm
Thank you Sherry!
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December 9, 2018 at 7:28 pm
Love the tsunami fo boiling ink- what a great turn of phrase Vivian.
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December 9, 2018 at 7:51 pm
I like this one!!
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December 11, 2018 at 9:08 pm
Thank you Annell!
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December 9, 2018 at 10:26 pm
Good to find a way to separate wounds from weapons. Using words is definitely good!
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December 11, 2018 at 9:08 pm
Indeed!😄
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December 9, 2018 at 10:41 pm
Wonderful. It is all about letting go, isn’t it?
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December 11, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Absolutely!
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December 9, 2018 at 11:39 pm
Writing your way free of anger through ink…love that
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December 11, 2018 at 9:07 pm
💪🏽💪🏽😁
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December 10, 2018 at 1:36 am
As poets we are so lucky as we give words life and meaning but no one thinks that we are talking about ouselves we are just entertainers on a stage with poetry puppets getting the applause.
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December 10, 2018 at 1:43 pm
You have a point there 🙂
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December 10, 2018 at 3:56 am
Nice post Vivian
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December 10, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Thanks Kurian!
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December 13, 2018 at 3:56 am
You are welcome Vivian
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December 10, 2018 at 6:38 am
lovely bridge!
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December 10, 2018 at 1:42 pm
Thanks Mrs Bednar! 🙂
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December 10, 2018 at 6:22 pm
What a wise bit of poetry and the note that accompanies ……
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December 11, 2018 at 9:07 pm
Thank you 😊
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December 10, 2018 at 8:45 pm
“tsunami of boiling ink” great line!
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December 10, 2018 at 10:02 pm
An awesome Puente, powerfully rendered … and that bridge line: stunning … indelible
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December 11, 2018 at 7:29 pm
Thanks Wendy!😊
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