Distorted Pride

The distorted pride of man has colored history with bloodshed.
It is the ego that says: shame me and I will make you no more.
You mistake fear for respect
and yet
you have no control
but instead
you are controlled.
You are controlled by the hatred that takes you,
hatred born of the shame you perceive.
The shame that you perceive
that fills you with fear for your
diminishing pride.

Show me power in the flare of your anger, man.
Show me real faith in your self and
turn away.
Walk from that which threatens to tip the balance of your scale.
There is nothing to be proven
in the heat of the moment
but your weakness.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

Pride is one of those things that has a good & bad reputation. Your poem captures mostly the aspect of when pride becomes distorted by insecurity & delusions of "strength." Since we are in the midst of a major election season for us, your message is at the crux of how these fights get fought. It's so ridiculous & it grossly underestimates what We the People really want to see from our politicians. I've never felt I could thrive in this world becuz everything is a power struggle & I'm just not into asserting my power, even tho I do have considerable personal power. Your poem makes me sad about how pride has been distorted (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[R.J Calzonetti (Siniste..]

Couldn't agree more. Pride is something that can be excellent, but not at the price of other people's pride. There is no reason to fight over a world big enough for everyone. I would rather walk away than challenge those that I meet on my path through the trees. There is no way to win without losing something in the process. A little bit yourself, and your humanity.

[danielle.]

Indeed, I think pride in its purest form is a beautiful thing, the kind of pride that does not need to be defended. It is sure and steadfast yet humble also.