hurt people, hurt people

those who've been harmed, do harm to others...

The deepest of wounds
  are injuries to the soul.
A hidden crevasse
  in the dark and cold.

Such scars cannot heal
  in an inconspicuous place.
They fester and spread
  and become hard to face.

The nagging of bitterness
  turns pain inside out.
A callow resentment's born
  that the vain will flout.

Then ire becomes infectious
  as it is spread to the meek.
A pitiable cycle's renewed
  and the newly hurt will wreak.

Author's Note

I heard Oprah say this once and it stuck with me. The words just came today.

Reviews

[Etoiles]

So true.
I really like the rawness of this piece, such a poignant expression.
:)

[J.V. Stanley]

it is often said that those who have been abused will in turn grow up to abuse, such is the way abuse continues whether consciously or unconsciously. It takes a strong individual to overcome that instinctual learned behaviorism and some tend to fall into that trap whether consciously or not. I actually talked with an ex about it, and he insisted that just because you grow up within dysfunction doesn't necessarily mean that you'll turn out dysfunctional...funny coming from someone a bit off.

These cycles continue for those who have been hurt, its easy to become jaded by experience and allow others' viciousness to overcome and succumb to bitterness and hatred-wanting a sort of vengeance against the one who hurt us by doing so in return but usually the recipient is not the one who caused the damage originally. Sad horrible truth.

wonderful poem my friend. Shelving this one. Sometimes we simply need to be reminded of the truth, and instead of holding onto bitterness and anger and use it to lash out at others but instead to look inward and realize our own true self. That the hurt should not mold or make us, but shape us in a way that gives us the strength to move forward with humility and humbleness. Bravo.

[Ruth]

Powerful!
When someone hurts another they may not realise at that time what shall return to them....and it is often those hurt that do so!
Profound piece of work
xx

[FireWoman]

How very true. Like the bullies whom themselves are bullied and pushed to their limits on the home front. Humans react to hurt by lashing out many times, it is a defense mechanism that pops faster than light. So sad the vicious circle of abuse and anger...

[Chris Taylor]

Such a good poem. I enjoyed the raw emotion of it. I was drawn to the line: "The nagging of bitterness turns pain inside out." That line was total magic. I love the title and underlining message of the poem as well. This is the kind of work I really love: poems that talk about the duality of man.
Great Job.

[Lily Mae]

It's so true unless people use it over and over to hurt someone like it's an excuse.. I believe in Karma...what we put out is what we get back x3 :) Love the fact that you grasped that from her and wrote on it when you were ready.. Wonderful write..xxx

[LinBin]

This is well crafted and excellent piece of writing, I wish I was as skilled with words as you are, well done x

[anne p. murray- LadeeAn..]

What your poem says its sooo true.
I believe the ability to forgive is a state of grace, a gift we give to ourselves by those who we feel hurt us. Forgiving is for ourselves, not necessarily for those who hurt us. We are choosing to live in the present and future, not the past. It doesn’t mean we have to forget, but rather to release and ‘let go’.

[.]

I didn't understand the title until I read your poem ..yes they probably do..but it's how you deal with the hurt that heals people

[Amit Parmessur]

The second issue of Golden Apple has started accepting Submissions. It will be based solely on Christmas and definitely sounds very exciting! Our editors have already set themselves to work with the Submissions obtained.

We all aim at making this ezine a really nice and positive one!

Submissions (poems, short stories, sketches, song lyrics and any other) are most welcome. Read our GUIDELINES at

http://goldenappleezine.blogspot.com/2010/10/submissions.html


Have a look at Issue 1: http://goldenappleezine.blogspot.com/2010/10/golden-apple-issue-1-october-2010.html