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Open Poetry #47
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Flippancy
| Open Poetry #47 |
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Flippancy |
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MorningStar Member
since 2009-10-26
Posts 290Pittsburgh, Pa 
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Keep those hollow words for someone who wants the wisdoms of an ignorant tongue. Instead with your head bowed, avert your eyes in shame that such words have ever passed over your lips. Because I know. You speak of things you don't understand in platitudes and condescension. Hunger, and fear, and desperation are valueless. They're dropped lightly in irreverent conversations that gall the ears of the truly weary and lost. Because I know and was. And at times may still be To one like you, they are simple and easily packaged. Concepts and ideas in general terms and text. Lacking depth. Lacking the violence and the crushing weight that they deserve. The heavy cost that they exact. But I know. I know hunger, and fear, and desperation by all the senses. I know what it is to damn the self respect that keeps your belly empty. And your pockets barren from what promises to be quick, and easy, and terrible. I know what it is to curse your inability to cheat, and steal, and crush others beneath your heel as you beat a swift retreat. To fall, to crawl, and to cry out again and again. Until teeth and tongue fall out. I know. But I don't say these things to collect your pity, your tears or your quiet prayers of thanksgiving for a fate spared you. I say them for the sake and the truth of the way of it. And for the respect it deserves. I say it because I know. And to hear you speak of it with such casualty and flippancy... offends me "I'll tell you how the sun rose A ribbon at a time..." - Emily Dickinson |
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| © Copyright 2011 Aenea Saunders - All Rights Reserved | |||
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Morning Star, anyone who pities you has to be sadly mentally-retarded or senile. I, and anyone else has no choice, but to admire your strength and integrity, that few, without your experiences, can begin to comprehend. Your poem is magnificent, powerful, humble, honest, admirable and lastly and least important of all, a wonderful work of art. Any friend of yours, needs to understand how very blessed he/she is. I hardly know you, but will happily fill in an application form to be your friend, and wait patiently for a reply. Owl |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
What OwlSA said!!  JL  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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MorningStar Member
since 2009-10-26
Posts 290Pittsburgh, Pa |
Owl - thank you so much! I seem to have found myself surrounded by people who speak so dismissively about devastating things... It's saddening. I graciously and happily accept your application! JL - thank you!!! "I'll tell you how the sun rose |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Oh, good, my friend, Aenea, thank you! What a beautiful name, "Aenea" - but then so is "MorningStar"! As an official (signed and sealed) friend, I guess I am free to call you either - or both, for that matter! I know just what you mean. I had a boyfriend many years ago, who, when 13 000 Turks (on initial count) died in a horrific earthquake, said, "Well, they would have died anyway." Little did he realise when he said that, that any feeling I had for him, died at exactly the time he said that. On another occasion, he said, "Why should I bother about saving the life of a diving buddy I have only just met?" He hadn't let a diving buddy die in reality - it was a hypothetical situation - but had the occasion arisen, that is what he would have done. Somehow, on the extremely few occasions that he comes to mind, I can't get either of those things out of my mind, nor the revulsion it brings me. I wrote a deliciously virulent hate poem to him - which I didn't ever give him - it would have crumpled him - but it gave me a small sense of release from those 2 horrendous thoughts of his, amongst others. Pip, is just the place for you to be, Aenea, to get the bad taste out of your mouth - because here there are so many kind, compassionate people who care about all sorts of issues. They will remove the fog around MorningStar so that you can shine brightly and freely on your Pipster friends. Owl |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
Dear MorningStar, You are right to feel as you do. Thank you for your poem, insightful and passionate, I agree with Ms. Owl, and her wisdom I am also submitting an application for friendship, Ms. E |
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MorningStar Member
since 2009-10-26
Posts 290Pittsburgh, Pa |
Owl - it never ceases to amaze me how callous people can be. It's saddening to know that there people in the world who've experienced so little that they don't understand compassion. And it's just as frustrating as it is saddening to know them! Life teaches us - but people do too So I'm hoping that the flippant people in my life can learn from me... Because life isn't always a gentle teacher. Ms. E - Thank you. Sometimes I have to look around and wonder is it me or is this completely crazy...? I will happily accept offer of friendship! Aenea |
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