Sticks and Stones

Black can be white

and white can be black

with a shadowy greyness

of indecision in between

Where diplomacy lies

and honesty hides

Like the child in our soul

Should be unheard

and unseen

And taught the lesson verbatim:

Sticks and stones 

May break their bones

But words will never hurt them

Reviews

[.]

Indeed not all things are black and white and while we hide behind polictical correctness..we skirt the issues..so words don't hurt, trying telling that to the child verbally abused at school or the woman verbally attacked her partner..we should listen to what our conscious says and not follow the general opinion ..it's not always right..not sure whether this is what you are saying ....but it's what I got from it..

[The Analog Kid]

Very compact but contains a punch. I say, why diplomacy (rhetorical)? You are black and I am white. It is a fact. You can't hide the truth.

There are winners and losers. Also, racism exists. It reminds me of the newer cartoons where the skin color is like an olive, yellow, pink, brown.

This is just my take on it. I am not sure if that's where you were going. There are other directions you can take thia as well. Good though provoking poem.

[Miss Coral]

Wonderful piece- love the first couple lines as well as the little saying at the end. Nice message as well, of course. Great job.

-Coral-

[Alicante lullaby]

the allusion you create by picking up the colours black,white and grey is reminiscent of that state of indecision when we lose the child within...our sense of wonderment,curiosity and innocence to hypocrisy.
Words indeed are more hazardous/effective than sticks and stones but we fail to realise this.

[TAO]

If only... The message is clear enough. Well done.

[Poetic Beauty]

I like this piece. It has been done exceptionally well causing the mind to think.

[jenniewren (J.W. Bouwma..]

ah this is a profoundly moving piece. you've spoken a world of truth in a marvelously succinct manner. it's captured my imagination, and moved me..

wonderful Glyn..