Wildfire

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

One whispered breath

would extinguish the flames

of this wildfire,

burning hotter

and higher

with each piece of kindling

you add to it yourself.

 

You will be consumed,

even though someone else

lit the match

Reviews

[Wicked Dahlia]

ah yes, that little vixen, Anger. it deceives us with the promises of release and relief and really it's just suiting its own needs, playing its own game. as i'm getting older, maybe not so much wiser, i'm trying to remember this message more and more. your poem comes at an especially auspicious time for me, maybe a sign that i should dampen the fire on my tongue :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you for this insightful review, Dahlia! You are absolutely right - we think there will be release, but so often there is only destruction...

[quinfinn]

gorgeous poem...but you know what i thought of?

[quinfinn]

it wouldn't post...go to the comments page

[Skye]

I've never heard the saying that's in the description, but now that I have, I can't help but smile at how true it is. Just as true as your poem. I loved the last three lines. Would you mind if I used them to quote to some people I know?

[Rita L. Sev]

Not at all! That opening quote is one of my favorites, and I always try to remember it (sometimes I am successful...) Thank you, Skye!

[Zahra]

How true, really insightful. Well penned rita!

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you so much, Voice!

[SteveB]

I didn't notice the quote at first [blame an old man's eyes] and thought of a love affair - one word can put out the flame, started by the lover but fed by one's own dreams. Then after reading the quote I see exactly where you were going with anger and again it fits.
Very tight and taught. Well crafted and well constructed. A pleasure to read and a pleasure to re-read.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Steve. I can see it the other way, too.

[TL Boehm]

Wow. This is a deep poem. And so very true. "with each piece of kindling

you add to it yourself" anger is a choice. Well penned

[Rita L. Sev]

Exactly. Anger, and how long it rules us, is a choice we make ourselves. Thanks, Tammy.

[David Scott]

Hot! Ouch!
Actually, you could read this poem and substitute many emotions. Anger, lust, greed, sorrow. We do tend to spend borrowed emotional currencies.
I enjoyed the write.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, David. You are right - we feed so many negative emotions, then wonder why misery prevails...

[Shaun Payton]

Anger met with anger is combustible. It needlessly explodes and burst often leaving innocent people in harms way. Good write Rita, good message. Let anger go it is not worth the cost

[Rita L. Sev]

Exactly - not worth it at all. Thank you, Shaun.

[Shaun Payton]

:) you are welcome Rita.

[Daniel Eckert]

I am very curious to know what the wild fire is to you. To me it seems to be a lie someone else started and you had to perpetuate? maybe?

Either way a very good poem indeed.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Daniel! That is certainly one way to look at it. I was thinking that the "match" is whatever started the angry tirade, or long-held grudge, which because it is out of control, becomes like wildfire. Anger has its place - but unchecked, it leaves all in ruins.

[Daniel Eckert]

I guess I read too much into the "whisper." I like this burning grudge idea much more!

[Rita L. Sev]

Ha! The whisper is the small gentleness that may have quelled the anger - sometimes that is all it takes.

[Clockwork]

The second stanza is a great reflection of the Buddha quote. Its amazing that the actions of others have the ability to light a blaze in us if we let the spark grown into a larger flame. A very insightful description of anger indeed.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Clockwork. It really is our choice to feed the flames or not...

[Clockwork]

You're welcome :-)