Three Word Wednesday requires participants
to use the three words of the week in a composition.
The words this week were tedious, limber and detonate.
Sticks & Stones
“Sticks and stones may break my bones
But names will never hurt me.”
- Children’s chant.
Detonation.
Hard.
Sharp.
Intended to hurt.
It leaves a mark.
Pain.
Tears.
Anger and shock.
The sting lingers.
A once limber heart
Hardens.
Later, on recall,
The brain replays
The whole event.
The anger is real
But the sting —
The sting is
That while pain fades
Words don’t.
Even with tedious repetition
Pain fades away.
Words are reborn.
Refreshed
And resharpened.
Again.
And again.
And again.
---
© J Cosmo Newbery 2012
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The sting does linger... indeed, it does :(
ReplyDeleteGood to see you again, Diane. Sorry it was such a sombre poem for the occasion!
DeleteToo true .... always taste your words before you spit them out! I'm going to step out on a limb here and say that I find women to be more culpable on both fronts: speaking with spears and refreshing their pointy ends.
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I tried not to be gender specific, tried to be very general, as it cuts both ways.
DeleteI include myself in that statement .... :(
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I prefer to wage a war of words than fisticuffs..that way I have a better chance of winning:)Cruel words can be devastating for kids who are bullied at school.Self defence and self confidence programmes should be incorporated in the education system such as Rall's short course for steam rollering bullies and other objectionable riff raff:)
ReplyDeleteOn a personal note cruel words make me angry because of my volatile dispostion and a tendency to stike back but cannot wound me unless they come from someone I care about. I agree with red dirt girl... women are formidable enemies.I would rather engage in combat with a male...but preferably no combat whatsoever..Peace and Love ..and little piggies do fly LOL.
I guess the point I wanted to make is shown by an example. I know I received the strap at primary school. I broke my arm, even. I remember the events but cannot reconstruct the pain from memory. I remember the belittling words of my Grade 6 teacher and, recalled, they are as fresh as ever.
DeleteOh ,now you have made me sad.Rall to the rescue. Give me her name and I will steamroller her:)
DeleteThat's a role reversal for you - maiden rides to avenge slighted knight! Thank you, thank you. But I suspect Mr Andreson (yes, Mr) has long gone to the great chalkboard in the sky.
DeleteLovely poem, can relate to the harsh words we receive, it hurts again and again like you say.
ReplyDeletewords...they have the power to pierce the core of us in so many ways; when aimed with ignorance or painful intent they can linger well beyond the pain of a broken nose or arm. plus they have a nasty way of festering—arising without warning over and over again.
ReplyDeleteSo very true... I've often wondered who penned that silly childhood chant b/c it's wrong. Words hurt and scar...
ReplyDeleteThe sting ... it hurts ... well expressed !!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes. Some words I have heard hurt me still - forty years and more on. Bruises? Long gone. Cuts, some scars but no pain.
ReplyDeletewe can never "undo" the hurtful words, can we?
ReplyDeletewonderful poem!
happy happy new year!
You are right, the words stay. I remember the 'words' of a fifth grade teacher as if they were yesterday.......and the words of a college professor as well. They both did more damage than they ever realized!
ReplyDeleteWords are often more painful than physical hurts - as you have so aptly shown in this piece.
ReplyDeleteso true Cosmo... and this is why we must be as mindful as possible.... once released they cannot be taken back. Well done! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe power of words. As poets we have an even greater understanding of this truth. You have used the truth, art and craft in this one.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2012/12/31/your-essence/
my heart hurts with this truth of bullying, really well captured. happy New year http://llmcalling.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/happy-new-year-2013.html
ReplyDeleteI so know. I still writhe with discomfort when I remember stupid things I said years and years ago. And it is amazing how small things said an eternity ago, still pop up in memory with such sharpness.
ReplyDeleteI like how you used the word 'resharpened' at the end. As though the words, like swords, are weapons, and once said they continue to wound again and again! Well done. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteYes, this is right to the sharpened point !! I enjoyed this!
ReplyDeleteSo right...words can be indelible in their effect on us. Very sharp and focused writing. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if there is anyone in our community of sensitive souls (i.e. poets) who cannot recall, word for word, and gesture for gesture, insults from childhood and early teen years.
ReplyDeleteA very good write indeed.
K
So true, some words live on - forever.
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