Battlefield

Were I to defend myself against my accuser I would be . . .

in essence

. . .

calling out a liar

and thereby

engaging one in battle.  

I do not want this

I am peaceful by nature

therefore

I will not respond at all

And to those who rally to the side of the accuser

and

stand in judgement

against me

you will find yourself standing

in an empty battlefield

 

- - -

I am not there

- - -

I am who I have always been

- - -

and all I will ever be.

Epilogue:

I have since learned that none of that up there matters.

The hurt of being seen as other than

...

who I am

or

what I am

...

fades away. 

The only thing that truly matters

is that I've walked my path with integrity,

hand in hand with my truth.  

I have no shame.

I have abandoned pride.

I am humbled by the clarity time has granted me.

Nothing really matters...

save the meaning which remains.

Author's Note

Random. Late.

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Well I will eat my Hat! I am afraid I do not concur with the comment below I think your approach is far more productive is somewhat less vengeful. You have explained well in this short piece the value of taking such an non confrontative course. Just wish I could do this all of the time lol

[Ken Simm.]

The irony of this is not lost. The solution is to defend by not defending apparently. Actually defending and attacking by saying you are not going to do just that. Thereby attaining the moral high ground. Clever, ironic, but above all witty. But then I would place money on the idea that no-one has ever accused you of being less than witty. You have wit leaking from you and now can I have some?

[lee von cleef]

The Art of War. Not to fight,a choice, I the persevering loser,Have engaged this choice, and yes it feels like high ground,as you stand and watch the "pros" roll your effigy in flour, and deep fry it in boiling mud, then hang the laundered dirt on Americas parasitic gossip lines, the family's flying their true colors, and your pocket book will ebb and flow, the choice,Your choice is one that takes a gritty backbone to live, work,smile, and be you, one who you have always been.So be you, shake loose a curl,line that seem up, step off ,Sashay into Today.

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

We cannot win against ignorance or stupidity so the best coarse of action is the high road... very nicely put young lady.

[Clayton Bardwell]

Morning Mrs. Lowrey,

Reminds me of part Kipling's poem "If" where he writes;

"IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:" ...

I try to live my life this way and then someone does something or says something to get my blood up and it all goes to Hell.

[Ufi Auttorri ~ UfoAutho..]

A very good story, MH. It made me think too that turning away from conflict is not the same as fleeing a conflict. The first takes courage and a desire for peace while the latter is sometimes associated with cowardice, although, even that is often better than the possible outcomes of the alternative. Sadly, there are those that will take advantage of this nature, this desire for peace, for it is not in them (or in their always-seeking-an-advantage to dominate nature) to do so. When this (eventually) comes to light then the true battle begins; and is usually unavoidable unless the alternatives of slavery, domination or non-existence are palatable options for the oppressed. ...just my thoughts/opinions evoked by your admirable sentiment.

[Mrs Edith Hat]

A moral standpoint is always to the good, however gains only satisfaction on a personal level. I prefer the option of standing over a beaten opponent, knowing that, at any time I may choose to destroy their lives again.
As to the poetic nature of your work, it is more, as you claim it to be, a story. As such, not based upon fact. The flow is strong and reflective of an independance rare in todays society. I enjoyed the reading.