Hate will never pass the test

Warning, this is a long one

~

 

 

Along a winding, weaving road

with trees now half past tall

A rooster sits atop his perch

to sing his morning call

 

But there upon a twisted branch

behind the barnyard fence

A creature sits and lies in wait,

at everyone’s expense

 

With feathers black, a beak of gold

and claws to hold on tight

I’ve never seen his like before,

it’s such an awful sight

 

I did my best ignoring him

but oh those beady eyes

They followed every move I made,

my fear I can’t disguise

 

When then I heard a scratchy voice

like echoes in the field

or nails upon a blackboard dragged,

that awful sound they yield

 

“I hear you are a poet sir,

let’s have a verse or two”

I just kept walking right on past,

I’ve many things to do

 

“Like Shakespeare or that Cohen guy,

I’m told you are so good

Come on recite a stanza now,

I really wish you would”

 

“I never mentioned poetry,

I never said a word

I don’t know where your facts come from

or anything you’ve heard”

 

“You said you were a poet sir

I know that’s what you said

The words you spoke the other day

they rattle in my head”

 

“No such thing was mentioned here,

why do you spread such lies

Just leave me be and fly on off

to someone else’s skies”

 

I started running down the path

but he just flapped his wings

Pecking at my shoulders bare

and many other things

 

I ran, I fell, I skinned my knee,

he laughed and wore a smile

“You can’t fool me, I know your type,

I recognize your style”

 

“The greatest poet in the world,

there only can be one

And I am he and don’t forget,

now get along and run”

 

I stopped beneath a big oak tree

and tried to catch my breath

My body it was shaking still,

he scared me half to death

 

I pulled my notebook to my lap,

my hand it held the pen

And started writing poetry,

my love for her again

 

When then I looked above my place,

the branches filled with birds

They watched as I was writing this,

they chirped at every word

 

“Don’t let that old crow bother you”

I heard their voices say

“He wants to be the only one,

that’s why he acts this way”

 

“Just keep on writing poetry,

your verses are the best

Be yourself, you’re doing fine,

to that we can attest”

 

“There’ll always be someone like him

that tries to pull you down

But worry not, just wear a smile

in place of that old frown”

 

And that I did, I wrote and wrote,

I didn’t have a care

So I could always send my love

to you, I long to share

 

I penned for you a poem of

affections written deep

Hoping that close to your heart

my words you’d always keep

 

When then again I heard that voice,

my day then turned to night

“I see you’re writing poetry,

I knew that I was right”

 

“I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do,

we’ll put it to a test

You write yours and I’ll write mine,

we’ll see who is the best”

 

I closed my eyes and thought of us,

my mind held such a view

I wrote some lines of perfect prose,

to say that I love you

 

He scratched and clawed upon his pad

and with an evil grin

He tossed the page down on the ground

and said, “Let’s go, begin”

 

I read the words that he did write

and if I must confess

I didn’t understand a thing,

his poem was a mess

 

Several lines of gibberish,

hate in every breath

Calling names of everyone,

he even threatened death

 

And then he read my offering,

a look came on his face

His feathers black had turned to ash,

his head hung in disgrace

 

For love shall win out every time

in ink of gentle flow

“Go spew your hatred someplace else,

it’s time for you to go”

 

I watched him as he flew away,

a sulking, fading bird

On silent wings he disappeared,

he uttered not a word

 

I often walk along that path

but now I wear a smile

For I’m still writing poetry

in my romantic style

 

Though I will not forget that day

as these words come to mind

“Hate will never pass the test,

it’s better to be kind”

 

'

Author's Note

An older poem that I wanted to share.
And yes, it does have a "Devil went down to Georgia" by the Charlie Daniels Band feel to it. That was intentional.
If you read the entire poem...thank you so much.

Reviews

[Alla Antsis]

I loved it, Will!
Visual, fable like, perfect rhyme, whimsical....I read it to the end, dear poet! And what a way to bring kindness!!!! Thank you

[willweb]

Thank you so very much. I am thrilled you liked this.

[William Michael Reeves]

Found it. And look what I found! Wow! Is your nemesis a crow, or raven? A raven that thus quotes his ego. Its rapping and tapping is just scratching, that's really just a bore. I like your uplift at the end. Might as well spread your poetic wings as wide, and long, as you can. When it's a good story the reader cares not how long it is.

Leonard Cohen is a powerful poetic voice, with that voice and poetry of his. That underlying groove and gravelly smooth voice makes me move!

[willweb]

Thanks again my friend. Yep, I often warn about the length of a poem because most don't really enjoy something this long. I am glad you did.
I have written a few pieces inspired by Cohen. Not so much his work but him. Those were fun to write.

[William Michael Reeves]

It has always surprised me how 'Hallelujah' has been embraced in so many different ways, when the song is about being tied to a chair by a naked woman. Hallelujah!

[willweb]

That definitely explains the title!!! : )

[Coyote Poetry]

The poetry was so good. I loved the epic story in the poetry. I liked the repetition and the lesson shared in the words. Thank you Will for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[willweb]

Mucho gracias mi amigo! I am not Spanish but wanted to come up with a different way to say thank you my friend.

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed this one and you are welcome Will.

[AYVID]

A very deserving goodbye to that hateful crow. I know so many people who are like this. Just shoo it away next time instead of investing your precious energy on him. A very enjoyable poem that didn't feel long to read at all.

[willweb]

Thank you my dear friend. Yep, I too have known a few exactly like this and that is probably what sparked me to write this one...no, that is exactly what sparked me to write this one. : )

[AYVID]

I'm glad you did. This is such a relatable poem. You are most welcome, my friend.

[K.P.H.M]

Wow! This is amazing! I love narrative in this piece. I was completely captivated throughout. I really specifically liked the line "For love shall win out every time / in ink of gentle flow." Great work as always!

[willweb]

Thanks so very much. I am happy you enjoyed this long-winded poetic story of mine.

[Neville]

wowzers Will what a wonderful way with words n writing you have sir .. I rarely use the Wow word, but when I do, it means I am impressed .. you were write of course when you said it has that Devil came down from Georgia feel to it, but that helped it along and did not serve as a distraction or impede my reading enjoyment in the slightest .. Had my foot tapping straight after verse one .. and anyway, any mention of that other guy Cohen is gonna get my vote anytime .. Neville

[willweb]

Thanks Neville. This is the one I had you hunting for last week that I soon remembered I hadn't posted. I am glad you found it and enjoyed it.

[Neville]

my pleasure my friend .. I kinda thought it might have been :)

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

This is your best I’ve read
It’s right there at the top of the road just where that old jealous creature was
In your poem

I loved every word every meaning
And will read over and over I’m sure
Well done
This is a classic waiting to be discovered I’m sure
Love it !!!

[willweb]

Thanks so much Julie. I am happy you liked this one. It doesn't seem many did, but I happy you did.

[Chris Shaw]

An epic write will. I wonder how long it took to pen these stanzas? An old poem well worth an airing. And of course a message. Kindness costs nothing. It can make such a difference. There is so much hate in our world, it needs to be replaced by positive emotions. Bravo will.

Chris

[willweb]

Thanks so much Chris. Oh, I don't know, maybe I wrote it over a few days.