Writing a poem using the word ‘hollow’. Now, let’s see……. I thought, and thought…and voila! ‘Hollow words’ came to mind.
You see, we use words to paint pictures of the past, present and future. They are our primary form of communication…so you would think that we’d use them wisely. But oh no, not the human race. We bandy words about with little thought for consequences. So, here’s my take on ‘hollow words’.
I watch as hollow words
wash over me
Fascinating…….
It’s the absence of life in these
words that mesmerise
Empty promises and profound inaction
Words spoken.. and yet (un)meant
Not quite lies…at least lies sting with bitter energy
Hollow words are just…dead
they mean nothing to me
©Vivian Zems
January 13, 2019 at 1:19 am
“We bandy words about with little thought for consequences.”
I love this sentence. 🙂
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January 13, 2019 at 1:56 am
not caring – feeling dead inside – hollow is no way to live. Find the passion and live. Even hate can be used for good. Not hateful actions, but it can spur us on to do good things…
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January 13, 2019 at 2:58 am
Yes, true. Words without meaning are hollow.
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January 13, 2019 at 3:01 am
We are bombarded these days by hollow empty words. Well said!
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January 13, 2019 at 7:50 am
There are too many hollow words these days, Viv. I think that’s why we gravitate towards like minds at poetry sites like the Imaginary Garden, where words grow full of substance. I agree that ‘at least lies sting with bitter energy’ – and we know them for what they are..
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January 13, 2019 at 10:30 am
If I want to hear hollow words I listen to any politician. They certainly are absent of life and veracity.
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January 13, 2019 at 11:26 am
Beautifully rendered, Vivian! ❤ I agree words without meaning and emotions are worthless. 😊
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January 13, 2019 at 2:29 pm
Very well put. This word always reminds me of T.S. Eliot’s The Hollow Men.
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January 13, 2019 at 5:58 pm
Very true, good one, Vivian.
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January 13, 2019 at 7:02 pm
I like what you have to say about hollow words…they just don’t ring true…
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January 13, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Last two lines, my favorites.
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January 13, 2019 at 9:14 pm
Ah, I think we all know someone who speaks hollow words. It is as if these words were spoken many times before and have no depth. These days the airwaves and twitter (etc) are filled with such hollow words.
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January 13, 2019 at 9:57 pm
Good job Viv! There are so many hollow words floating around, it is a wonder we haven’t gone deaf out of self defense
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January 17, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Indeed- You’re so right!
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January 13, 2019 at 10:41 pm
Sensitive poetry…
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January 17, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Thanks ZQ!
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January 13, 2019 at 11:35 pm
I like your differentiation between hollow words and lies.
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January 18, 2019 at 9:14 am
They seem different but are somewhat the same in the effect they produce. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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January 14, 2019 at 2:04 am
Oh, this one pulls no punches!
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January 17, 2019 at 7:13 am
Thanks Rosemary 😊
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January 14, 2019 at 4:55 am
Oh, I know of those hollow words — they stay and trouble for a long time. Lies are any day better than empty promises. Well penned. 🙂
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January 17, 2019 at 2:35 pm
Thanks Anmol!
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January 20, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Interesting… yes, so much spoken that’s hollow, meaningless. I feel a bit of retreat in myself, from this.
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January 20, 2019 at 3:48 pm
Thanks Marian… but how so? ( in retreat)
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January 20, 2019 at 4:00 pm
Not from your poem, from the hollow words batted around, I find myself being quieter in response. You know?
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