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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

Quirky Poesy - 8. The Size of a Word

Sometimes things in life strike you with the force of lightning. Sometimes you hurt a person you love. When there is no possible “I’m sorry” to make up for it, you may turn to poetry in an attempt to make sense of it – even if only to yourself.

 

 

 

The Size of a Word

 

Inconsequentiality, Webster claims,

Specifies an event of no importance.

“It’s so long at eighteen letters!” One exclaims,

“So only should define a major grievance!”

Yet turning the trick around, we use short names

Describing acts much greater in consequence.

It takes so long to construct the bridge of trust.

Yet only one word can turn it all to dust.

Copyright © 2016 skinnydragon; All Rights Reserved.
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Poetry posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

Mikiesboy

Words can hurt. You're not alone, if that is any consolation. I written poems for the same reason. I'm sure you'll be forgiven, or forgive, as the case may be.
hugz xoxo

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Lisa

That was a powerful poem, Skinny. Each time I read it it gave me chills.

 

And how true that only one word can destroy everything: trust, hope, confidence...a future...

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jess30519

So very true. A single word can tear your world apart, yet it may require thousands of them to be exchanged to rebuild what was before.

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Parker Owens

An excellent poem. You state the case so well. One small word can change so much. But so can another change it back again. Beautiful, and true.

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Headstall

One word... regret. That's what I got from this, skinny. Sometimes, there's no going back, yet, sometimes... it's worth a shot... I wish you all the best, buddy... the poem itself was well constructed... the message... one we all learn, sometimes the hard way xo Gary

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AC Benus

If I understand the poem right, the aggrieved is in a good place – a place of acceptance and not interested in holding on – but of course, the self-doubt, the self-accusation is always remarkably painful. However, to be aware, to be self-aware, means healing is possible, if trust is re-offered on the old terms.

 

I know this quote has always brought me comfort when I've made a mistake. Maybe it will help you too :)

 

“Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all people love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour increasingly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.”
Henri J.M. Nouwen

 

From one weak human brother to another, I say press on with the good work at hand.

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Emi GS

I know you are always going to rock the poetry and I have no doubt of it. I have to agree with Ben, cause I can feel the pain and remorse and all. Trust me I have been through it. One word is enough to crash your world...

 

Very true and wonderfully done.

 

~Emi.

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skinnydragon
On 11/06/2016 10:20 AM, Mikiesboy said:

Words can hurt. You're not alone, if that is any consolation. I written poems for the same reason. I'm sure you'll be forgiven, or forgive, as the case may be.

hugz xoxo

Thanks, tim!

 

Thankfully, the cloud are clearing.

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skinnydragon
On 11/06/2016 11:55 AM, Lisa said:

That was a powerful poem, Skinny. Each time I read it it gave me chills.

 

And how true that only one word can destroy everything: trust, hope, confidence...a future...

Thanks, Lisa!

 

Yes, it was written at a pretty low point. We're on the ascent now. :)

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skinnydragon
On 11/06/2016 12:23 PM, jess30519 said:

So very true. A single word can tear your world apart, yet it may require thousands of them to be exchanged to rebuild what was before.

Thanks, jess!

 

So true. Often it requires time and commitment to restore what was, but you always worry if it will ever be what it was.

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skinnydragon
On 11/06/2016 01:09 PM, Parker Owens said:

An excellent poem. You state the case so well. One small word can change so much. But so can another change it back again. Beautiful, and true.

Thanks, Parker!

 

As usual, your wisdom shines through. :)

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skinnydragon
On 11/06/2016 01:31 PM, Headstall said:

One word... regret. That's what I got from this, skinny. Sometimes, there's no going back, yet, sometimes... it's worth a shot... I wish you all the best, buddy... the poem itself was well constructed... the message... one we all learn, sometimes the hard way xo Gary

Thanks, Gary!

 

You're right, but, man, I hate learning things the hard way! Of course, it sticks with you better, I guess.

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skinnydragon
On 11/06/2016 02:32 PM, AC Benus said:

If I understand the poem right, the aggrieved is in a good place – a place of acceptance and not interested in holding on – but of course, the self-doubt, the self-accusation is always remarkably painful. However, to be aware, to be self-aware, means healing is possible, if trust is re-offered on the old terms.

 

I know this quote has always brought me comfort when I've made a mistake. Maybe it will help you too :)

 

“Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all people love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour increasingly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.”

Henri J.M. Nouwen

 

From one weak human brother to another, I say press on with the good work at hand.

Thanks, AC!

 

Those are healing thoughts. I wrote this at the nadir of my emotional state, while curled in a chair. Things are slowly getting better for me but I didn't want to let the poem go to waste -- especially cuz y'know I'm usually not very emotional.

 

OK I better stop before I get struck dead by that lightning I was talking about. Thanks again.

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skinnydragon
On 11/06/2016 06:10 PM, Emi GS said:

I know you are always going to rock the poetry and I have no doubt of it. I have to agree with Ben, cause I can feel the pain and remorse and all. Trust me I have been through it. One word is enough to crash your world...

 

Very true and wonderfully done.

 

~Emi.

Thank you, Emi!

 

I'm glad the pain came through, because when I wrote the poem, the pain was borderline physical. Thanks for your kind words.

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