Dial It Down

sea stacks stand

separated from motherland

surrounded by salt water

spray spitting venom

like lost children

parted from parents

who fret in empty houses

cast asunder by blunders

far wiser to find

solutions to resolve issues

where fractures open chasms

cause heartache

only fools stoke fires

of division, burning bridges

cutting off routes to harmony

with displays of anger

words used carelessly

carve deepest wounds

scars bleed profusely

infected with poison

douse those embers

about to ignite

into roaring fiery action

flames blazing in madness

save burning bridges

tone down fits of spite

stamp out hate

before it's too late

Reviews

[Seriana]

"Save burning bridges"....how many times my mother would tell us to be careful before we burn bridges with someone.

I can feel the angst and frustration of being on both sides of much of this piece, both as an individual, group, and society as a whole. You've captured so much here to bring that message home. Tough topics sometimes, but still need reminding!

[Chris Shaw]

As you get older, you understand more the importance of bridge building. Burning your bridges and the opportunities for peaceful outcomes is imperative. Many thanks for reading my lines and sharing your thoughts. All good wishes Seriana.

Chris

[Melinda McQueen]

This piece is truthful in its own right. Makes you ponder how we treat people. Never know who you may need.
A captivating write.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Melinda for checking in with your thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[Sir Robert Robbie Lord ..]

They Have No Need To Grow Just Yet
Maybe burning bridges lights the way,
In their Springtime of the year to care.
I reckon so lovingly aflame in everyone

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your visit and your poetical response. Most appreciated.

Chris

[Beccy]

From time to time, we all need reminding to 'dial it down,' a bit.

Given our history on this planet, I often think that our species is perhaps genetically programmed for
conflict. I mean, what chance 'world peace,' when so-called good neighbours often come to blows over something as simply as the perceived wrong siting of a garden fence.

Thoughts to ponder on in your lines Christine.

Beccy.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Beccy. How right you are, petty stuff can cause major conflict. As if there isn't enough serious stuff to concern ourselves with. great to have you visit. Hope you are both keeping well.

Chris

[barleygirl]

Even tho I love reading Rob's political interpretation, I've been steering clear of politics lately, becuz really, isn't 4 years enuf of our Trump fixation? Your poem is some of the most exquisite wordplay I've read in a while . . . lovely how you shove words together to make them sing with slamming melodies. But I was also reminded of all the ways my own family is fractured & your words express the way passions can become ignited to such a ridiculous point, we aren't even seeing these other people as people. In fact, back to politics, this is true there, too. Our divisive politics have broken up many families & more will fall. But screw that! This is killer wordcrafting! Powerful passions imflamed thru-out! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Couldn't ask for a better interpretation of my words margie. Love your thoughts here. Thank you for sharing. All good wishes winging their way across the pond.

Chris

[wordman]

great advise,loved it,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Chris Shaw]

Many thank yous Ron for taking the time to read. All good wishes.

Chris

[wordman]

you`re welcome

[S.zaynab.kamoonpury]

Woww what a brill wonderful awesome poem with words of wisdom and truth against hate and disharmony and against bashing with words of spite and rancor which hurt people. Kudos ans hopefully people heed these sublime great words.
Warmest regards,

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Zay Zay for that glowing review. Hate is so destructive, leaves so many scars. Bring on the love says I :)

Chris

[Dave Brown]

I often wonder what Covid is doing to relationships
I doubt there is any improvement being offered there
To me this reflects the huge number of divorces that seem to be an ongoing part of relationships

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dave. I am sure you are right. Covid is no friend to relationships. People cooped up together with nowhere to go. Not conduicive to harmony. All good wishes.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

Wow, Last night I watched a synopsis of the annual CPAC conference I do not have the stomach to actually watch the whole thing and not reinvoke my alcoholism... Cpac is for the conservative parties kind of "rally to arms" for the direction they want to take for the year. They rolled a big golden statue of Donald the Orange Julius Ceaser into the main hall and that pretty much sums up the whole thing another year of lots of hatred and divisiveness, obstinate defiance for the sake of party despite the cutting off of their own noses and the people they represent it is all so disheartening just how much the goal of suppressing the black and brown voters in our country for the sake of white supremacy is happening here! over 4 hundred laws have been put forth already to suppress the vote but really its to suppress the people:( they won't even agree to a stimulus and recovery bill to get us thru the final months of the plague while the people are suffering it is so bad here it would be comical if it weren't so true Shakespeare couldn't write a worse trajedy

[Chris Shaw]

Nothing like the division of politics to stir up hatred. So much of it around and it is so destructive dear Bunny. Thank you fir your visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[lightsong]

Wonderful and wise dear Chris, specially when You mentioned children, most children are very sensitive to their parent's words, and if they were abused in childhood it may affect them for long years, negative words leave wounds on the soul, they can be worse than physical abuse, unfortunately in these days we see lots of unkindness, bullying and hate, and this but spread more and more negativity. yes let's dial it down before it's too late, each one of us be responsible for his/her actions and reactions.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you lightsong for your wise and wonderful response. Always good to have your thoughts and a visit from you.

Chris