In Answer

In Answer

words like blistering spikes

speaking in foreign tongues 

and thumping on splintered pulpwood

Prying ears quiver to hear

mockery of quaking aspens

i helpless, 

as they  hit the mark of hurting me

i wish i had quickened wit and delivery 

to say all the things i think of 

after

03/07/2024

E

Author's Note

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Ouch Mr E. I felt some thorns digging in to soft flesh here. Words can hurt. So annoying when you can’t fire back with a volley. Later you start to think of all the things you could have said. So relatable. Sending you all good wishes across the pond:)

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

you read me loud and clear Chris! thanks so much for your time and reviewing ... top o' the mahrnin' to ya Lass!
E.

[Desert Knave]

Most of those kind of words I receive tend to actually come from family members, but your words do touch a chord. ~Jim

[Einstein Noodle]

Bummer Desert Knave! i'm sorry to hear that. our families are suppose to be our shelter in storm, comfort in sorrow and nurture the gifts we may have ... little quips can sting and bite deeply ... sounds, however, like you are at least resolved to those issues .. i hope so anyway .. love and grace to you,
E.

[Laz K.]

many can relate, for sure. however, we shouldn't beat ourselves up about not being able to have a quick, witty comeback. letting go, if possible, is best.

[Einstein Noodle]

words of the wise, Laz ... thank you for the visit and thoughts .. :)
E.

[Amanda Renee]

I love this, and I love how your poem shifts with one word in the last line!

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ... i am so happy to receive your wonderful review .. thank you for letting me know your reactions and input .. see you 'round ... right here at the Cafe'
E.

[Marie]

A tongue has no bones but it can hurt another with words as sharp as a rapier sword. Sad how people disrespect each other by throwing stones at one another, not realising that we all live in glass houses. It is not always easy to think of a reply when one is besieged by mud slinging, but I am a believer in silence as a reply to such verbal warfare! I refuse to be responsible for hurting another human being, dear E. N... The least said is the soonest mended! If we cannot be at peace with each other, what hope has the world in being rid of war. A very insightful and thought provoking poem, dear poet. Love the various figures of speech and allegory used. Great write! Thank you for sharing...

[Einstein Noodle]

you are right, of course ... and i will take the wisdom of silence that you share with me the rest of the day and maybe even into tomorrow ;) not knowing what to say in the moment is perhaps the elephant in the room to be learned eh!? love your review .. you bless me Ms. Marie .. gives me hope

[Marie]

Most welcome always, dear poet. Thank you for your too kind words. Bless you always...

[Neville]

I felt compelled to stop by here again & give your muse a nudge .. & guess wot, it still gets both 👍👍's up from me .. just sayin on behalf of me n a friend .. Neville

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks so much Nev. my inspiration does need a kick in the butt now and again ... most of the time these days ... your the best Sir!
E.

[Neville]

I am just me Gene, but thanks tremendously sir :) N.

[Senu Jayasinghe]

Thinking back and overthinking,hmmm. This one resonates with me.

[Einstein Noodle]

so nice to meet you Senu! thank you for taking time to read and share your thoughts with me... it's a bit universal, i think ... thinking of things to say when the moment has passed ;)
E.

[Gee]

My old mum used to say to me when my attempts at wit failed miserably, "if wit was s**t you'd be constipated"...bless her:))
I've ever been blesed/cursed with the ability to respond lightening quick to whatever offered up to me:)
Hope you are well E

[Einstein Noodle]

sounds like you practiced at home in your young years .. Ma gave the best encouragement by being honest with you eh!? i have rarely been quick with a humorous or witty response .. as i think about it .. seems it depends on the person or persons i happen to be with ... thank you always for your support .. right here at the Cafe' :)
E.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dear E. The only thing I can understand from this lovely poem is that the quaking and falling of trees is very disturbing to you, perhaps just missing hitting you by an inch….and one feels helpless when this happen because no one could have prevented it…. It’s frightening and sad at the same time….perhaps because we love nature and losing part of it is like losing a human life…and the fall so fast, we are frozen in place….
Thank you for sharing
Warmly, B🌷

[Einstein Noodle]

i love your honest review dear friend :) the trees are metaphors in this one .. it's about the power of words ... whispered words of hurt .. gossip :)))
love on ya Betty! thanks so much for taking time and sharing your thoughts with me .. peace and joy!
E.

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome E.
Warmly, B

[Neville]

You and me both sir .. you and me both .. I reckon it's an age thing .. I'm just not as quick as I used to be .. either with my pen, tongue or when running away .. a real touch of sapiential insight and knowing shown here and bravely I must add .. gets both 👍up from me .. Neville

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Neville! the running away thing gets me most of all ... or rather just running :)
E.

[Neville]

my pleasure always, and remember, that miserable thing crawling just behind you and smiling, is me :)

[Pryde Foltz]

Oh no. Emotion is not much of salve for the tongue. Barbed are the sharp-witted in such cases. That said if you had said all you felt, we would not have been blessed with this write. A pleasure to read you.

[Einstein Noodle]

thank you Pryde ... always ... you are a wonderful encouragement for me ... i think the good Lord pretects us from saying things in the moment we may regret ... thinking of "good" comebacks are only good in afterthought .. if at all ... a beautiful thing to control our tongues eh!? :)
love and joy dear friend
E.