shadows on the wall

rainy day ranting

photo by robert niller courtesy of staticflickr.com

bold emissaries of stress
nails painted scarlet
strike a pose on the tip of my tongue
oh how they taunt
           political correctness be damned!
i prepare to empty all this built up venom 
somewhere on someone 
taking imaginary steps towards my opponent
who may or may not be a worthy adversary
               i hesitate 

                      hearing

                         tick tock tick tock

                                yet the hands are frozen in place
so once again i meekly decide

to merely do battle with shadows on the wall

Reviews

[Sarai Lee]

I love this! I feel like it perfectly describes that moment where we have arguments in our heads, with perfectly timed words for the things we should have said. All that stress pent up, it makes me think of realizing that the moment is gone, the time has passed, and there is no real argument anymore. Truly a new way to describe the idea of "shadowboxing" with a far more poetic outcome. Once again, I really enjoy your work!

[Lydia Shutter]

And I so enjoy your reviews. Thank you, Sara. Have a wonderful day. lydi**

[Diana]

This is truly fantastic. Sometimes we sit and brood over all the things we could say and launch out into the world...yet often times we do nothing with that.

It's so daring in the beginning with the "nails painted scarlet" and so meek at the end "to merely do battle with shadows on the wall." A piece of daring and delightful contrasts...

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Diana. Lydi**

[ron]

Love this one. Fighting the battle from the shadows, kind of makes you wonder who or what organizations are doing just that.

[Lydia Shutter]

That's for sure, Ron....and every day we hear about more of them...but that is another story! Thanks for reading and the review. Lydi**

[ron]

My pleasure Lydi

[Sheila Kline]

There are many who would prefer to remain in the shadows, but even those who do may work wonders behind the scenes and never be known as they are somewhat out of view, but I don't think that's what you meant by this poem.....on a bit of a humanitarian rant....lol
One is almost ready to tackle the world, want to dish up some lip to a predetermined target and then decide it is just much more comfortable to say in place - safe within the sound of the tick tock of time and deal with what is in the "now". Those shadows can be enough far too many times. It takes one heck of a heaping of sunshine to erase them at times!

I especially like the phrase of "taking imaginary steps towards my opponent" - all in the mind but not ready to make that leap yet.

Another very nice write Lydi!!

[Lydia Shutter]

Sheila, you can use the comment area of my poetry as your soapbox whenever you choose! Sometimes you have to be irked by something for a very long time before you actually take the leap to act. I appreciate your reviews...always. Lydi**

[Corset]

This brilliant piece makes me think of shadow boxing, and the reference to political correctness makes me appreciate this poem and it's message all the more as no one should be censored on their own page, you own your feelings, your thoughts, and they belong to you and they are important because your feeling are important even if it is only by self love and to oneself, no one has the right to make us feel otherwise. You can't possibly realize how significant this poem is to me.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you VERY much for understanding and drinking in the meaning here. No, we should not allow others to shatter our self esteem, you are so right. I appreciate the review. Have a wonderful day. Lydi**

[DrD]

What marvelous symbolism dramatized with exquisite skill!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much! Enjoy the rest of the day. Lydi**

[SHEEMA HUQ]

This is really interesting and inventive, I like the way the clock face has a voice and uses it so industriously, great work!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much. Lydi**

[BlackRose]

No one likes being stressed. And stress can have it's effect. Like the use of the clock being portrayed in this way. I really liked this. Thanks.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much for the review. I appreciate it. lydi**

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Great metaphor, Lydi. I love the idea of the clock, and the way that time is woven into the idea of "taking a stand", though, as often happens, the moment passes you by and you end up battles yourself rather than the true adversary. I like the sense of dealing with oneself in this one...feeling the true nature of the person in juxtaposition to the nature of the world around them. Thought provoking for sure.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much, Sarah. Lydi**

[Pryde Foltz]

Shadow boxing leaves no broken bones. Clever and biting.

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Pryde. I appreciate the time you take to read and review my poetry. Lydi**

[Pryde Foltz]

Always a pleasure. You are one wonderful poet.

[Pryde Foltz]

lol. Autocorrect changed my 'no' to a 'to'. Changed the meaning altogether.

[Lydia Shutter]

I have autocorrect shut off for that reason. It embarasses me at times! :)

[Pryde Foltz]

It's okay, but I just told Sami his poem was one of my faces-- meant faves.

[Lydia Shutter]

LOL the three faces of Pryde? :) How funny! Lydi**

[Pryde Foltz]

It was a poem about ants.

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh, I know....just found it....but I meant like the book "the three faces of Eve" since you told him it was one of your faces!

[Pryde Foltz]

Ni, I got that too. Never read the book, but is it the same story as the movie with Bette Davis? Love Bette Davis. My favourite quote from her is if someone is going to make a fool of Bette Davis, it's going to be Bette Davis.

[Pryde Foltz]

ni(sic) no

[Pryde Foltz]

For me...if anyone is going to make a fool out of Pryde Foltz, it's going to be autocorrect.

[Lydia Shutter]

The book was written by Corbett H. Thigpen and is very much the same story as the movie. Laughing at your last comment here....even YOU can not make a fool of Pryde Foltz, my friend...you are far too wise a woman. Have a great weekend!

[Pryde Foltz]

Takes one to know one. Thank you, Lydi**. You have great one as well.

[Lydia Shutter]

:) thank you!

[UrbanHermit]

Love your use of imagery in this one, and your sense of rhythm is inspiring!

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you so much for your review. Lydi**