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The Heart is Not a Fist
Sometimes I think,
I get caught up in the arrogant notion;
sometimes I get caught up in the thought
that I know more than I do.
And what I would pay,
what dear price would I spend
to not be so introspective.
I don't know
where the heart is,
or how big it is.
I heard the heart once
described like a fist,
the size of a clenched hand at war,
but I didn't want it told to me that way.
No,
the heart is not a fist
to be brought down
upon your head,
or my head,
or to strike at us or our feelings - our unfortunate feelings.
I'd like to think of it,
yes, I'd like to think it
like a vessel,
a bringer of things,
a bringer of things and people as one
who beckons "come to me."
But now I don't make those decisions.
And so the warmongers make their wars,
wars of the heart,
and wars of religion,
and they'll all look very seriously and with the gravest expressions of compassion
and say how
"it was all for the best,"
and how we're all better off,
but I still don't like looking at life that way,
no, I really don't.
I really don't like it at all.
But from what I'm told,
it's the way things have to be,
this way of war and fear and constant uncertainty,
about what is the next thing to expect.
And what I've come to expect,
isn't much different,
isn't much too different
than what I have already seen.
Style / type:
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity):
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Review Request (Direction):
What did you think of my title?
How was my language use?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Is the internal logic consistent?
Editing stage:
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Comments
Esker
Mon, 2016-10-10 08:32
If seen and in hand..then in heart
unless one is an "angel"
the original sin and choice
between doing good and or evil
is already within
Man has taken the choice
and his sin is to expire
Either or before
said time...
and War as a nasty business
in the home
in the world
in the community
is de facto de humano
way
thing no one wants to
even kick about is
If u saw..knew....
watched while someone
warring or taking on
others in a fastidiously
baiting manner
would you assist
them or sit on the bus
family table
on the street
look the other way
because war is about
control..manipulation
corruption
and a goodness too
example would be
would I fight in the forties
against hitler
and my answer would
be damned right
would i stand up for
people I see getting
bullied in my city
and the answer is
yes...
Bullies can be clever
nothing is ever black
and white
and propoganda
is slick
but bottom line
is
the whole reason
wars even get
under way and
the fodder gets
funded and filled
is peoples indifference
to want to be involved
in the first place
unless all those fists
Not just one are
pounding the table
demanding attention
if one fist runs the show
then its not a democrasy
is it
and Indifference reigns
the elephants in the room
the country
the air...
Which is is in a way
socially right now out
there...
funny today you fight
wars...tomorrow all
is forgotten rejoicing
and before two
generations past
its back to war
I like that you tackle
the deep subjects
in a subjective manner
you can see into the
dark heart of its matter
without falling into it
or fear it.
thank U!
Mr Wolf!