Cinders
By
Lisa A.Williams
Anointed-
unknowingly
by
brick or board.
Trash,
they were called
those tow-headed
girls
wanting to purge
this dry christening
which scathed
skin and soul,
it’s adornment
crushing the child
chant
“names will never hurt
me”
Lingering lyrics-
notes carried high
by those who sang
of
castaways
smelling of smoke and
cinder.
Undetected by thought
or word,
somehow they knew
the fire
was always smoldering.
Trash-
to be discarded,
unworthy.
They were singed
yet somehow
rose from the flames,
bore their
blistering-
purified.
but words do hurt....and when you feel as discardable as trash it is a hard place of being...some make it through though surely...a rite of passage for too many...
ReplyDeleteI agree Brian, so many have been hurt by the words of others.
Deletei like how the details of bullying are contained between "Anointed" and " They were singed
ReplyDeleteyet somehow
rose from the flames,
bore their blistering-
purified."
b/c yes, if we survive the bullying & somehow remain open to possibility, we do come out stronger, a beautiful phoenix rising out of the ashes of its own destruction
Thank you.
Deleteso strong, the power of words
ReplyDeletethrown, tossed like spears, dropped carelessly
may hearts be shielded in love
A beautiful and poetic comment. Thank you.
DeleteI like very much the strong ending of this poem. Rising from the flame is a very strong image!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary.
DeleteUs victims shall be strong and raise the flame on those bullies.
ReplyDeleteYour poem here is strong and powerful.
Thank you so much for writing this moving poem.
Very much appreciate your comment.
DeleteTo be called trash hurts ~ I do like though the ending of rising from the flames & all that hurt ~
ReplyDeleteThank you Grace.
DeleteVery, very powerful write.
ReplyDeleteNames hurt - you have described how it feels very well.,
ReplyDeleteThank you Bjorn.
DeleteThis is tragic and exquisitely written you never fail to impress and inspire. To me that is what great poetry does it moves, it stirs, it makes the reader feel and you always make me feel. You are amazing Lisa
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. This was one of the hardest poems to write, brought back a lot bad memories yet it felt healing to finally express it.
DeleteOh this one zings the heart! Fantastic writing Lisa (I remember this one--unforgettable!)
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer. I remember when I first posted it I was uneasy because it exposed so much. I realized though, so many have had similar experiences.
DeleteThis is an important subject to write about. Thank you for delving in there and tackling it.
ReplyDelete