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**

[ANTO]

As a bit of a hot-head at times I have served these manky meals Im ashamed to say. Perhaps in future I will count to ten and think of Lydias leftovers and that will prevent me from sinning again in this cafe.
You wrote this with such style - the metaphorical thread is pristine unlike out of date words which reek.
Im really impressed by this my talented friend. You stormed the bastille with this.
:))

[Lydia Shutter]

And it is not even Bastille Day! :) Thank you so much, Anto....make sure you do not get indigestion from your leftover words! :) Lydi*

[ANTO]

Too late to worry about indigestion now Lydia - or heartburn - mine will result in a full cardiac arrest soon, I feel

[Lydia Shutter]

OH NO....Anto, you are so dramatic! Obviously something I am not aware of has happened here.

[Cryingkate]

This subject is a tricky one.

Another duality.
If we hold them in they can fester and become mountains.

If we speak while they are fresh, they will be more palatable, since they do not make good leftovers and can spoil or ruin the container.
So what then? Control ? But then they might have too much time to form bacteria and grow.

Perhaps the choosing of the duality is another choice of selecting neither.
Perhaps with training we can learn to see all things with a different perspective? and avoid the need to rush or slumber our words??

PS Love the subject and awesome presentation

[Lydia Shutter]

We must learn to do just that....absolutely. Thank you for your in depth review. I really appreciate it. Lydi**

[Fran Marie]

Sticks and stones may ...but words really do hurt and once said you can't take them back..we really should watch what we say and when and how we say them..once again Lydi your writing delivers an enlightening message so eloquently

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Fran Marie. It is best to think several times before engaging an angry tongue. Lydi**

[Fran Marie]

So true..you're welcome

[Jamestown]

This is terrific, mom always said if you don't have anything nice to say don't say
anything at all! Sometimes we just need to let it ride! Written great! Thanks for sharing and b-blessed!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much. Your mom was a wise woman! Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

A true message Lydia and one should heed to move on and not repeat the same mistakes or eat the same words that were bitter and hurtful before. Thank you for sharing your mighty pen of wisdom...:).

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks a lot, Sami. I always appreciate your visits. Lydi**

[Sami Khalil]

You are welcome muchly...:).....

[m.s.early]

Really enjoyed the expression of what is said, what is not said, and what might shouldn't have been. Sound reasoning and logical observations graced with the elegance of a poet's pen.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks very much, Silver. Lydi**

[jacob erin-cilberto]

oh wow, I love this...what we don't say in the moment should be left unsaid---
because if we hesitate and then store up the words, they will not come out right the second time around...and most often will no longer be appropriate, timing-wise.
jacob

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Jacob. You really understood the gist of this. Lydi**