Dial It Down

sea stacks stand

separated from motherland

surrounded by salt water

spray spitting venom

like lost children

parted from parents

who fret in empty houses

cast asunder by blunders

far wiser to find

solutions to resolve issues

where fractures open chasms

cause heartache

only fools stoke fires

of division, burning bridges

cutting off routes to harmony

with displays of anger

words used carelessly

carve deepest wounds

scars bleed profusely

infected with poison

douse those embers

about to ignite

into roaring fiery action

flames blazing in madness

save burning bridges

tone down fits of spite

stamp out hate

before it's too late

Reviews

[Seriana]

"Save burning bridges"....how many times my mother would tell us to be careful before we burn bridges with someone.

I can feel the angst and frustration of being on both sides of much of this piece, both as an individual, group, and society as a whole. You've captured so much here to bring that message home. Tough topics sometimes, but still need reminding!

[Chris Shaw]

As you get older, you understand more the importance of bridge building. Burning your bridges and the opportunities for peaceful outcomes is imperative. Many thanks for reading my lines and sharing your thoughts. All good wishes Seriana.

Chris

[lightsong]

Wonderful and wise dear Chris, specially when You mentioned children, most children are very sensitive to their parent's words, and if they were abused in childhood it may affect them for long years, negative words leave wounds on the soul, they can be worse than physical abuse, unfortunately in these days we see lots of unkindness, bullying and hate, and this but spread more and more negativity. yes let's dial it down before it's too late, each one of us be responsible for his/her actions and reactions.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you lightsong for your wise and wonderful response. Always good to have your thoughts and a visit from you.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, Chris, there is much venom going around now, hate is all around us causing deep divides among us. You draw an excellent picture of this struggle. And what about the horrific separation of parent and children; little ones lost without their parents, weeping with no hope of finding them. The wounds that have been cut will be the most difficult to heal...and to witness insurrection of democracy is the bitter end. You have put this ugly picture into beautiful poetry. Amen!!! Well done
take good care
Best, Betty

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for your thoughtful review of my poem. You are appreciated.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

i feel the anguish and despair .. there is a brew a-stewing .. has widened over at least the last 2 decades .. our elected leaders are (if one trusts the vote) put there by us ... who are divided .. but seems a horrifying thing to me the extremes willing to be gone to in order to grab and hold power. The most recent being riding our Reps and Senators of the power to filibuster and serious talk of "packing the Courts" .. Federal decision making that allows and dis-allows one company or another .. price fixing ... and lying so transparently ... i will vote till i pass on .. i watch very little news .. it is so horribly gone awry .. balance will always be with us .. the farther Left ... the farther Right .. we need a whole new breed ... too much money and power to be had in our Federal Gov. .. for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to long. Well said Christine! thanks for the platform to respond to your, as always, rhythmic, solid built quatrains ..the social commentary is loud and clear ... we all need to keep the lines open don't we ... i like the consonance in "sea salt stacks" .. it makes me think of Sodom and Gomorrah ..Lot's wife turning to a pillar of salt ..oh how i pray we have not gone that far ... keep staying safe and well

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E, oh yes how right you are. We must keep the lines open. Where there is communication there is hope. I think we need a new, more conciliatory politics, more middle of the road. Not just where you are, we have had problems here too. Also people have lost trust in politicians, they are hardly considered a pillar of the community as they once were. Pleased my lines are open enough to allow readers to offer various interpretations of what this poem means to them. That is the wonderful thing about poetry. I do hope your spirits are at least at half mast and that spring the season of rebirth after a harsh and sad winter will bring you peace. All good wishes from across the pond and many thank yous for noticing my new avatar. Yes serious face, our Beth (20 year old granddaughter) took this one without warning. I was snapped while resting on a fallen tree trunk after a long walk. She had wanted to show me a wooded area she had found in lockdown which was an ocean of bluebells. It was incredibly lovely. Take good care of you.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

my flag is all the way up the pole .. truly my Faith is what i rely on and there would be no comfort nor joy without it ... for me anyway .. the more money, the bigger and more centralized they get .. they are absolutely corrupted .. neither party ever gives it all for the people .. there is simply too much in it for "them" ... love ya girl .. i am up early as per my norm and took Beauregard out around 1 AM ..we have one of those warm, moist winds from the South that i love so much .. it speaks of life and Spring .. coming most assuredly .. our daffodils are finally up .. they are a bit late due to the Vortex freeze and snow ..

[Chris Shaw]

So pleased your flag is flying high and that your daffs are heralding the cusp of spring. You have Beautegard and your strong faith and even in your grief I sense all is well. I sense you from across the great divide of water.......

[Einstein Noodle]

poetry in motion https://youtu.be/Oy_ArpznZUs and i truly feel you Christine .. i love that you were caught unawares .. in repose on that ol' log

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for the link. Wonderful, upbeat song. Remember it well. So thoughtful of you...

[Viktoria]

Like Nature, we who inhabit this world can be full of spite and hatred. Personally, I have lost count of the number of times I have extended the hand of kindness and been on the receiving end of some very nasty retaliations. I find its easier for us to respond with negative reactions and emotions and it takes a tougher person to stay civil and wise. Somehow I don't see hate ever being eradicated. It runs too deep in our genetic psyche. I enjoyed the metaphor and message here, Chris. We can always try to educate the masses and hope they will listen and see the error of their ways. 🌹

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Vicktoria. I appreciate your thoughts here. Sadly some people are confrontational and nothing will change them. They prefer an atmosphe of negativity. I think they get a kick out of it. Found it in the workplace more than anywhere else. So destructive it was too. It runs through politics and this piece is more to do with divisions of hostility between parents and children. All good wishes.

Chris

[.]

What an exemplary read this is! Yes, life is fragile and fleeting, so in this miniscule spending there should be tolerance, love and the like. Intolerance, hatred only drifts.. Burns, nothing to gain from this. I think ego is another venom that freezes the warm heart also. Your words are applicable not only in the personal level but in the political scenario as well. I like your statement of causing wound by toxic words.... I think covid has shown us the futility of life let alone the ego, hatred and all... I appreciate this write so much

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sima, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think you are right. The past year with politics and covid has certainly provided some opportunity for bad behaviour, but then I have seen angels as well. Angels in unusual places. They are around. Pleased always for your visits. Sending love.

Chris

[Ayesha]

"stamp out hate
before it's too late"
Apt advice for this time, with increasing intolerance, personal grudge, family rifts and hatred. It is time now to dial it down.
Thanks for sharing this dear Chris.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Ayesha, so nice of you to check in and share your thoughts. Hope all is good with you. Keep safe and well.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Not sure whether this one is referring to personal or political divisions. Either way, the advice is sound: "save burning bridges/ tone down fits of spite". Unfortunately, there are too many unwilling to heed this wisdom these days.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John. You are of course right. There are many who don't heed.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear Chris.
"save burning bridges
tone down fits of spite
stamp out hate
before it's too late"
The above lines. I must re-inform my mind to keep my mouth quiet. Hard to do sometime. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Coyote. Yes, silence can be golden. I appreciate your visit I,

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree dear Chris. Silence is golden.

[augustus]

Cross words between adults can often cause abject misery for children who have little understanding of the heated words used.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Augustus for sharing your thoughts and checking in.

Chris