Leftover Words

be careful what you say

artwork by Michael Dean

Leftover words
do not sound better after reheating
and are probably best discarded
yet we hold onto them
even as they gunk up routines

             (messy critters aren’t they?)
believing their coherency
has not only no expiration date
but a date after which
flowers will blossom
out of the pain they caused
surely sonnets will re-emerge
out of arcane scraps of syllabic misery
               but the truth is
open eyes collect unexpected sights
open ears collect better-left-unsaid whispers
               and before you know it
                           there they are
washing up on the shores of forever
              those ever infamous
leftover words

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Terry L & Linda L Shuff]

" They chose to write,thus span eternity " The Quest. By TL SHUFF WE hope,like Poets of the past,that our words will be remembered. Thank you for this Poem, great work I often feel most of my words are left overs,yet secretly,they sneak back.

[Lydia Shutter]

I appreciate your review! Lydi**

[Michelle Coleman]

You have adequately portrayed the story if my life growing up. 😜 and half of my adult life. I love this poem.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Michelle. Lydi**

[AprilRN1210]

people have a habit of holding things in... feelings... thoughts... words unspoken... and then trying to use them later when overly emotional or upset.. never really a good thing... words matter.. words hurt.. they can weigh down a heart whether spoken or hanging on to them bitter from being unspoken.. Think before you speak... "Say what you mean and mean what you say" my grandma used to tell me.. I am a sucker for reheating left-overs and pushing them to their "expiration date", can't say I am much better with my feelings, but am learning to let it out and let it go.. whether to the person whom they are intended, or in my writing.. helps keep the heart and head cleaned out and in working order (don't want no critters or gunk :)
lovely writing as always girl.. I loved this and wholeheartedly agree..

[Lydia Shutter]

As poets, we can vent with our words in a poem. Often, though, venting in person leads to hurt feelings and broken relationships. We have to learn to be civil to one another....and not to throw things that happened in the past in the face of a friend or family member. April, I just adore your reviews. Your new photo is so pretty....great new glasses. You look so studious! Thank you. Lydi**

[AprilRN1210]

Again, I agree! And thank you, am trying to get used to them:)

[DECIVIL]

You know it's true. Wen we hold back what should be said for latter days, it loses its intensity and achieve no better purpose than hurt. It could kill. Lovely piece

[Trace]

This is so true, and so ,,,,so,,, wow,
just knowing what this means, is something to really take to heart.
I read something the other day that a friend sent to me:
"When a thing hurts your eyes, stop looking at it,
when it hurts your ears, stop listening to it,
and when it hurts your heart, stop justifying it.

rules for a relationship.

Love your poetry. Have I ever mentioned that????

Huggs, Trace

[Lydia Shutter]

Smiling here.....that is good life advice, Trace. Thank you very much. Lydi**

[h d e rushin]

I love this Lydi.............Mark Twain said "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember
anything"/ The truth never expires I imagine. I remember my dad giving my mother the silent
treatment with me, reticent and bemused, saying to my inner self "fight back". When I
got older I realized that nothing fans the flames of discord like words.

a wonderful poem to think about my friend....dana

[Lydia Shutter]

You are very wise, Dana! Indeed, the truth is easy to remember. Thank you so much for your review. Lydi**

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lydi... leftover words could be
gathered and tossed at sea... if only
In our mind's eye. A true friend will
only keep what is worth keeping...
and we should be true to ourself.
Your poems stir emotions that seem
to blend with sunset memories .
truly... Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

Sunset memories....what a lovely thought. thanks, Pat. Your reviews are always so poetic. Have a wonderful day. Lydi**

[MsJewel]

Wise words Lydi...and for a number of reasons, I'm glad I read this today....
Hugs, Julie

[Lydia Shutter]

:) glad my words were timely for you, Julie. Thanks for the review!

[Coyote Poetry]

I love this poem. The words true and honest.
"Leftover words
do not sound better after reheating
and are probably best discarded
yet we hold onto them
even as they gunk up routines"
Funny how some words can stay with us and some words forgotten? Thank you dear Poet for sharing the excellent poetry.
Coyote

[Lydia Shutter]

You are a sweetheart. Thank you. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Poet.

[Miss Sharon]

Oh bravo Lydi! This is amazing and filled with wisdom my dear. (open eyes collect unexpected sights
open ears collect better-left-unsaid whispers) Indeed....great write! ~Sharon

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Sharon. It is always special to see your reviews on my page. Lydi**

[Confuser]

Lydia, how creative, stopping at first stanza and loving it; gunk up routines...oooh...awww; love it: This is just brilliant writing; wow.....so well said, we do do all that don't we; flowers will blossum out of the pain/slap/clap - darn girl - clever! better left unsaid whispers. Well I simply love it! And if taken as advise it's quite brilliant. Loved it. Thank you so much. Dale

[Lydia Shutter]

Such a lovely review...thank you, Dale. Lydi**

[Confuser]

Great writing!!! I'll be reading more; Thanks Lydi: Dale

[Nadia Gerassimenko]

Well this hit home for me. The first time the words are uttered and the way in which they are uttered can become a fixation in one's mind and heart, holding on to them even when there's no point left anymore. One hopes he/she can refind meaning in those words someday.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you Nadia. Lydi**