aberrations of love

(rengö) do you have a family member whose tongue slashes and tears, but who instantly forgets their verbal attack?

 

her tongue, a crossbow

that shoots bolts, deadly and true

to your heart, never

missing.  You may sway.  You may

swoon.  You may bleed, but her eye

will sweep past any

blotch or puddle of scarlet.

her lips are pulled thin.

displeasure will consume her

for a few moments, and then

she smiles suddenly

and speaks as if nothing has

occurred, as if all

is well, always was.  later

she’ll not even recall it.

the scars we all bear

puzzle her.  she questions when?

where?  how?  we demur.

we know she loves us. we won’t

speak of the crossbow and bolts.

 

Reviews

[Karen]

I have always believed that words are indeed daggers that cut deeper than steel, and oftentimes the speaker of such words has shielded him- or herself by speaking with razor blade words and then, as you so eloquently put it in this poem, "speaks as if nothing has occurred." Oftentimes, habit breeds disregard to others' feelings, and words are sharp needles in the eyes. Excellent poem!

[annie lee]

Thank you, Karen.

[Sheila Kline]

Some are not prepared to hear the truth and may consider one who is not afraid to speak up to be rude but does that mean the bearer of truth should refrain from speaking it? I think not. The person you describe in your write seems to take it all in stride and move on as those who are in her path of displeasure know she means well! They obviously respect and love her, and must perhaps "under their breath" acknowledge she does not speak in vain.
I liked your description of this woman!

[annie lee]

Thank you, Sheila.

[Angi]

Oh Annie. I know those thinned lips, those eyes shooting daggers as a way to hold you pinned while the tongue cuts and slashes. Oh yes. This had me seeing someone in my family very close up and personal. I prefer to keep her out of my head these days. This piece was jam packed with descriptives. Very effective ones. Angi~

[annie lee]

Thank you, Angi.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

This reminds me of a few of my family members, actually. Some people can't help but always turn the topic of conversation toward others in terms of an attack...it's an insecurity thing. What I like about this is, of course the metaphorical nature that you carried throughout, but also how in the end you show that we still love despite the downfalls of our loved one's natures. "We know she still loves us." -- this piece spoke volumes to me. Well done and well thought out!

[annie lee]

Thank you, Sarah.

[MOON]

Sharp tongued , deadly weapons , all families have them. Well conveyed,

[annie lee]

Thank you.

[Tate Morgan]

As they say the pen is mightier than the sword. Sometimes the simplest mistakes of the tongue follow us all our lives

[annie lee]

Thanks, Tate. I had three poems published today in the latest issue of Literary Orphans. Here's the link:

http://www.literaryorphans.org/playdb/?page_id=3409

[Tate Morgan]

thats really neat i like the publication

[Sami Khalil]

An Arab saying : The tongue can be a wild or a tamed horse...It happens in so many families...A very good write...Bravo

[annie lee]

Thank you, Sami. The person with this tongue is dearer to me than I can say. I will never voice this to her.

[Sami Khalil]

K. You are welcome...:)

[Sami Khalil]

^^~^^ :).........

[Jack...]

My word you got your message across wonderfully on this Annie. This is such a common occurence and not only at home, in the work place it is just as bad. Very nicely done.

[annie lee]

Thanks, Jack. When in the family, one learns to stay silent, and a rather sturdy callous develops on one's chest. The person with the tongue is beloved, and one hurt does not permit a reciprocating one.

[Frieda P]

What an apt description....

'her tongue, a crossbow
that shoots bolts, deadly and true'

You had me with that first line, and I was engrossed the entire read through, so so true!

[annie lee]

Thank you, Frieda.

[Frieda P]

I know this tongue well, you're welcome annie.