"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice;" ~ Ephesians 4:31
Get Out Of The Way
get out of the way of malice–
malice will be mauled in the long run
now you see it galavanting25
in modern society’s ocean22
sporting pristine9 white clothes
short of masking livid8 weals
on its alabaster10 skin
it prides itself an
impartial honorary23 vice
disguised as virtue,
model of scruples,
conqueror of woes
it’s wickedly sagacious
gives illusions of justice:17
has no need to rummage28
and feels like a classic4 bout
of glorious,12 fortitudinous1 struggle
it’s that dangerous2 drudgery20
that keeps you in distress
(but clueless besides)
though some in the population19
brandish21 it, superior–
an irresistible6 connection:24
fanatic27 badge of honor;
enthusiasts’ nostalgia26
lugging such brooch is testimony5
one’s gone to the far side:
gone beyond feeling
given over to lust,
uncleanness, greediness,
it’s the root that explodes
into grim attitudes
that spew malevolence
in slanderous speech,
vitriolic gossip,
clamorous complaining
causes lasting distress
that holds one captive–
the heart imprisoned
vanity of the mind,
blindness of the heart:
the pinnacle30 of all ailments
all the education18 you
accumulated yesterday11
is wasted;15 it will not
banish the bitterness you hide
rancor comes as a lightning strike
that can make your heart stop
or on the chance of having
tricked death with a momentous29
resuscitation, somehow–
but one’s brain is not
couched in a lone cylindrical7
crypt that blocks the entrance13
to the gift gifted to you on
the vintage31 year of your birth,
it’s folly to think you’ll survive
such a strike. You’ll call it injustice17
for the blaze16 that rips through you
and can never be submerged14
*let all bitterness and wrath
and anger and clamor
and evil speaking
be put away from you,
with all malice;
be renewed by the spirit of your mind,
lighten3 your soul
with compassion, grace,
and forgiveness: the spiritual fruit
to reverse the growth
of bitterness
and annihilate it
now you see it galavanting25
in modern society’s ocean22
sporting pristine9 white clothes
short of masking livid8 weals
on its alabaster10 skin
malice will maul itself, in the long run,
get out of its way
© 2022 selmamartin.com
This poem employs 31 words for a self-imposed challenge I attempted. Words were
taken from the word-a-day list for August here hosted by Enticing The Muse Publication
on Medium. I hope the ‘exponents’ weren’t too distracting as you read.
If you like, you can read the original (free) post from Medium at Heart Revolution, a new publication where I’m writing.
Photo by Edu Carvalho on Pexels.com
Thanks for reading.
I wish you miracles.
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Thank you so much for sharing your poem. It was creative and very calming. Much needed!
Hey, Belladonna, dear one. Thanks so much for reading and finding it calming. I appreciate the visit, dear friend. XoXo
You’re welcome!
WOW Selma, this is a powerful Sunday School lesson for today. 🙏🏼 Saying no to bitterness and taking back your power. Awesome girlfriend. Love your flow with the prompt! 👏🏼🥰👏🏼
Hey, Kym. Sunday school lesson you say, 😆 yes! All those bitter people— where do they come from? If only they knew how to reclaim their sanity and peace
I appreciate you for seeing something in this. Yes, I got a hernia after writing to that self imposed prompt. But guess who was amazed at how it came out? Moi! Yup. Glad you thought the flow worked. Thanks. Girlfriend. I bless you.
Oh Selma, it is my absolute pleasure. Your message is the kind of message that you allow to simmer through your spirit as you read it. It wasn’t preachy, just very real and relatable my friend. Thank you for the share and reminder! 🤩💖🥰🦋😘
Very nice poem. Have a nice day.
Raj, thanks dear friend. Glad you enjoyed it. Blessings.
Most welcome, Selma! 🌷
XX 🤗
👍
Excellent use of the words to craft a very meaningful poem.
Hey, Sadje, my sweet. Are you all better now? I hope so, dear one because I did intercede in prayer for you. Thanks for visiting. I appreciate you. Blessings on your new week. Xoxo
I’m much better now Selma. Thank you for your kind wishes and prayers
Impressive use of the words and an important message. I like the photo of the vibrant, mature woman.
Thanks for liking it. Grateful you read. XoXo
Your wordplay pulled me in from beginning to end! Love the image as well!
Thanks, Tricia. Glad you enjoyed it. Blessings on your new week. 💃🏼
❤️❤️❤️
I love the word galavanting…(although my spellcheck says it’s spelled with an i). It’s definitely something malice would do. (K)
Hi, K. Glad you read. Galavanting was the word on the list. But you’re right. There’s uncertainty about that spelling. I also see it as gallivanting but I’ll stay with the current spelling. Certainly something Malice is good at 🤣 👏 blessings. XX 🤗
Can I get someone to host for me
31 words!! Amazing. The message is quite clear. It is unfortunate that some folks would rather dwell in the comfort of their own burnt ash attitudes. I knew a woman who did not like a man. Didn’t even want to hear his name. When speaking with another told them not ever to mention that ‘man’ again because that Woman would hang up and never speak to that person again. They did… and she did. A horrid loss for both of them. Just because of an ‘ash attitude’.