Leftover Words

be careful what you say

artwork by Michael Dean

Leftover words
do not sound better after reheating
and are probably best discarded
yet we hold onto them
even as they gunk up routines

             (messy critters aren’t they?)
believing their coherency
has not only no expiration date
but a date after which
flowers will blossom
out of the pain they caused
surely sonnets will re-emerge
out of arcane scraps of syllabic misery
               but the truth is
open eyes collect unexpected sights
open ears collect better-left-unsaid whispers
               and before you know it
                           there they are
washing up on the shores of forever
              those ever infamous
leftover words

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[Terry L & Linda L Shuff]

" They chose to write,thus span eternity " The Quest. By TL SHUFF WE hope,like Poets of the past,that our words will be remembered. Thank you for this Poem, great work I often feel most of my words are left overs,yet secretly,they sneak back.

[Lydia Shutter]

I appreciate your review! Lydi**

[Ardra]

Left over words ...when we keep reheating them will causes us more damage but somehow letting go of them seems trouble some... isn't it ..
Thanks for always sharing wonderful creations...:)

[Lydia Shutter]

Ardra, I appreciate your review. Lydi**

[barleygirl]

WOW! This is very powerful & original! I love it. You've used such vivid ways to describe the refuse that bounces around inside our heads. As always, your word crafting is superb: "scraps of syllabic misery" . . . I wish it were easier to let go of these torturous broken records that blot out positivity & possibility. You've shown us here that it's a good goal to banish these leftover words.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much for digging back in my poetry to find this one, Barley. I appreciate it. LydI**

[Jimmy Yetts]

Leftover words don't have to be disposable--but, as you say, Lydi, whatever their present quality, it almost certainly won't improve.
A perceptive and entertaining piece of work, good poetess!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks, Frankie. Lydi**

[William S]

A pastiche of literary awareness.Send me all of your left overs.I will devour them with great intensity...:)Shine on Ms Lydia,William

[Lydia Shutter]

But you would be in danger of indigestion, Bubster! :) Thanks, Lydi**

[William S]

Nay,it would be a digestible feat that would crash Webster...:)

[Lydia Shutter]

:) good to have you back, Bub!

[Lyn Anderson]

So much truth in this. I have a helluva time practicing it, but I do so agree that leftover words are the worst kind of leftovers.

[Lydia Shutter]

You know it, KL. thanks for the review. Lydi**

[Sophy Freebirds]

I loved this Lydi.. "syllabic misery-damn !! You have a very nice way around coining such spicy phrases.This wasn't leftover i pray.Because if its leftover i am just wondering what a starter and main meal would taste like..You have very aptly said here Lydi that those mere unsaid words which linger as assumed whispers turn bitter sometimes.Still we keep hoping as we are mere human .Thank you for sharing this delicious left-over.. Yummmm!! :)

~Sophy

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much, Sophy. Sorry it took me so long to acknowledge your review. I was out of town. Lydi**

[Sophy Freebirds]

I loved this Lydi.. "syllabic misery-damn !! You have a very nice way around coining such spicy phrases.This wasn't leftover u pray.Because if its leftover i am just wondering what a starter and main meal would be..You have very aptly said here Lydi that those mere unsaid words which linger as assumed whispers turn bitter sometimes.Still we keep hploping as we are mere human .Thank you for sharing this delicious left-over.. Yummmm!! :)

~Sophy

[Chris D.]

Your words could feed the world, but I'm watching my calories so I better wait a few before I read another.. Nice write!!

[Lydia Shutter]

Cute review. Thanks. Lydi*

[Bright Ocean Star]

Perfectly expressed. Words unspoken should remain unspoken. A moment is like a willowisp; one second it is there, and the next it is gone. Very nice, Lydia...

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed! Thank you so much. Lydi**