Two enemies stand side by side, broken.
Clothed in anger adorned with contempt.
They know no warmth, only an insatiable hunger
That sends shivers through their bones.
Their skin is rough,
Signs of kindness chiseled from their faces.
A higher power brought them together that day.
Each placed before the casket of their enemy's child.
Two deaths caused as a result of their hatred.
Grief filled the silent spaces in-between the violence.
That day forced them to remove their armor,
Their eyes overflowing with salty tears.
They would never be the same,
Nor could they see each other as different.
About Me
- Stephanie D
- I'm a Recovering Drama Queen. I got tired of the same old lines.
I really like this post Steph! Nicely written and making me think, which is hurting my brain! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Avg Girl. Glad you liked it...but sorry it hurt your brain.
ReplyDeleteIt's "different" for me to write about a topic that doesn't have to do with a personal experience. I've been trying to come up with a "world peace" type piece for some time now...I hope the message was conveyed the way I wanted to...without being to dark.
Wow I want to know the story behind this!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the explanation--I was worried you were talking about yourself!
ReplyDeleteWELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you conveyed it. the death of a child can bridge the largest gulfs. what a tragic unifier. but we don't see our enemies as our brothers and sisters so easily. the chiseled faces are terrific. this is a reminder to work to see that we really have no enemies in this world, becuz maybe otherwise one day somehow or another we shall learn that truth the really hard way.
ReplyDeletePowerful writing.
ReplyDeleteElisa - I don't think I have it in me to write the story behind this post. It's fiction, but I still think it would bring much sadness.
ReplyDeleteI second fishducky. I was really worried there.
ReplyDeleteDear Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteThis poem so reminds me of a 1902 poem written by Thomas Hardy.
The short poem is called "The Man He Killed."
The last of five stanzas says,
"Yes; quaint and curious war is!
You'd shoot a fellow down
You'd treat, if met where any bar is,
Or help to half-a-crown."
Your poem puts you in good company. Hardy's a famous English poet and author!
Peace.
Thank you, Dee...the thought you put into your comments always makes me feel so good.
ReplyDeleteJoshua and Fishducky - I'm gonna have to learn how to mark my work as fiction or non-fiction in the future so you'll never have to wonder. "Rudolph" was worried when he first read it also. I wish I had more of these pieces in me (the fiction).
I am so glad this was fiction because it was brilliant but I didn't want it to be your personal feelings! You make them too real!
ReplyDeleteYou're writing really packs a punch when you open up like this.
ReplyDeleteI got divorced today. Reading this seemed eerily fitting!!
As someone who practices writing everyday, and is trying to be a better writer; all I have to say is, "This is a really good piece of work." I'm also glad it's fiction.
ReplyDeleteLovely and sad. They say having children is one way to really see your enemies in a more human way.
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Stephanola. Keep reminding people that the speaker in the poem is not necessarily the poet.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
This is very powerful!
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete