These Words

a bit dramatic, but I was feeling it. lol!

these words are not just letters and punctuation.

 

they are not

phrases in poetic prowess bathed.

they are not

a shot at glory

or

catchy little stories

of fairies and knights

with rhyming bites of

the life pie ala mode.

 

they do not

crave approval.

they do not

 beg for attention.

they are not

anecdotes

to brighten your day

or

spark your imagination.

 

let me tell you what these words are:

 

the taste of dirt

from homeless feet,

soiled sheets after

meaningless sex,

an apex of hope

and a bottomless drop,

heads lopped from

the necks

of wrecks and heroes.

Nero’s fiddle and

fire dancing,

a fleck of spittle

from a sullen mouth,

objections thrown in

a demigod’s face

with traces of

Truth everlasting.

 

the waste and hurt

of a soldier’s wounds,

typhoons washing

Earth clean,

the green of leaves

and scent of flowers,

sour milk in the mouths

of starving children.

the building of kingdoms

and razing of villages,

rays of light and love through

stain-glass saints,

paint peeling from an

American classic,

a squealing pig

during slaughter

craving bacon.

 

don’t just read them.

feel them.

let them tear at your

resolve.

through communication

we can evolve,

solve problems,

resolve quarrels,

evoke morals

and change lives.

but only if these words

become more

than what they seem.

they must be you and I;

us and them;

all sharing the page

with no preconceived expectations.

then,

these words will

burn!

let them gleam

in the eyes

of

Eternity.

Reviews

[Babbette Francis]

When I first came to this site, I noticed myself getting a little to honest in writing. I've tried to tone it down but it was near impossible to write anything meaningful. I've pretty much made this site my diary, and now nothing seems as if they are 'just words' to me. There are things I write here that not even my closest friends know about. The words will burn in readers if it burns in the writer first. Great poem!

[Analgesia]

Ah, yes...that is the feeling I get after reading something with real passion in it. Genuine indeed, I can certainly connect with your sentiment here: you absolutly have to feel it when you write. You really threw yourself into this one it seems to me and I appreciate your honesty, and appropriate symbolism. You throw in things that could disgust the reader, without being frivolous in your word choice, and yet and still get that same amount of shock you were looking for: good balance there. Poetry is about style and about passion and you have both, I like that. My only real problem, however, is the end. If through those last words you mean that in the end what we write truly amounts to nothing more than dust, ash, in the wind then it isn't quite clear. When I read something I should feel its meaning the whole time I read it and, for me, the end of this particular poem was when that kind of gut wrenching wonderfull feeling ended. So, personally, think it isn't clear enough. I don't mean to criticize too much and take away from what you have here, because it truly is brilliant, I just think that you deserve to hear a straight forward review. I hope I was of assistance.

[Kristina Moulaison]

"don't just read them.
feel them."

Yah, a writer, a poet cannot, without this kind unfurled passion ready to burst, write anything capable of touching someone's heart. I read to be torn to shreds, to surrender life and will, to lay myself upon an alter willing to be changed wholly. I want your whole soul upon the page mingled with your blood. I want it to hurt. This is vivid wonderful description of the depth it requires to produce that work. A dramatic review, I know, but I was really feelin' it. : ) God forbid that we shrink from passion and intimacy when it is all the world truly desires, just because it is also what we fear the most.

[Cherry Berry]

This was layed down on your paper beautifully. Insightful and powerful. Well done.
xox
Cherri

[Cherrie Palmer]

The great thing about poetry is you can hide a messasge in it that a reader might otherwise not see. Nice Job Cherrie

[Frank F. Atanacio]

My God this was amazingly draining yep like meaningless sex-- only joking this was terrific! loved it