Wildfire

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. - Buddha

One whispered breath

would extinguish the flames

of this wildfire,

burning hotter

and higher

with each piece of kindling

you add to it yourself.

 

You will be consumed,

even though someone else

lit the match

Reviews

[Kristin Lee]

This is extremely well written. And I love the quote by Buddha. I could take a page from this quote right about now... Great job Rita.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Kristin. Glad you found some wisdom here!

[Ken Simm.]

To say so much in such a way shows a wonderful way of looking at the world.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Ken.

[Rocans]

Interestingly, I have a poem with the same theme. Needless to say, this was was well written. Unchecked anger destroys the vessel that contains it. Good work.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Rocans - I would love to read your piece, too; this is a lesson that cannot be reiterated too many times.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thanks, Rocans - I would love to read your piece, too; this is a lesson that cannot be reiterated too many times.

[Stella Armour]

and the flames reach so high that they get out of all proportion.. a lesson to thought about here Rita :o)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Stella.

[L.Edward]

Very true. Anger, little understood and unfortunately much maligned. Fire element connects us with spirit. Wholesale denial of anger cuts us off from its amazing transformative qualities.

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you. Yes, like fire, anger has its place - but it must be controlled or it will destroy everything in its path.

[L.Edward]

Indeed. The health of the fire is important. To use an elemental metaphor: A dry forrest may burn uncontrollably. Yet if it is too wet we may not even be able to light enough of a fire to keep us warm or to nourish ourselves. Trees filled with enough water energy are not brittle. They can be felxible, its more difficult for them to burn or get broken apart in storms.

[B-poet]

Resentment and holding on to grudges is a no one situation. Unfortunately nowadays people don't really take enough iniative to find positive constructive outlets for their anger. Often they would rather lash out than deal with it themselves in a dignified manner. A great message and write. :)

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you. It took me years, but I finally learned that anger is a waste of energy.

[Angi]

I have been here. Too often, I am ashamed to say. I need to get rid of my pile of kindling! Angi~

[Rita L. Sev]

Do - burn it in a campfire and make s'mores - and never look back at that kindling again. :) Thanks for reading, Angi!

[Angi]

You always make me think, girl.

[Aethereal]

A very wise poem! I inspired me to write this gift poem for you:

Anger

Anger is a puppeteer
pulling strings that make us veer
over paths no longer clear,
woeful paths devoid of cheer,
paths of sorrow, paths of fear
where there's found a frown, a tear
on sad faces far and near.

[Rita L. Sev]

I like that first line - anger is a puppeteer... yes, it makes us do terrible things. Thanks, Aethereal.

[Aethereal]

Thanks, Rita! This poem only took me a couple minutes to write as it fell into place all at once after reading your poem. Mono-rhymes are the easiest one's to write. You may use that line as your own, or one like it in a free verse poem if you want to.

[s y e]

Very well written and a really good, powerful message behind it.

Well done, as always, Rita!

~ Noodle. ★

[Rita L. Sev]

Thank you, Noodle!