Healing or Provoking

By Rhiannonw

Sat, 01 Sep 2018
  • 2061 reads
8 comments
 

Impetuous words flung out to hurt
can’t be recalled like hoovering dirt;
internet reader rushing to blurt
out first reaction smug and pert
which quickly ‘goes viral’ by those alert
to stir up trouble and strife far and wide –
no longer deleteable, can’t press ‘hide’,
consequences no-one can now detect,
there may be a distant and far-off effect
– whom did it influence, provoke and affect?

spoken or written, don’t let your words fly
carelessly sending them out to the sky
heedless of where they may land and lie
to foster some good, or fester, inflame
tempers or worries or bitter shame.

[IP: Effect]

 

Certificate U
Poem
Miscellaneous
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by celticman on

yes, I've been thinking many of the same things. hate crimes start here on the internet and grow contagious thorugh hate book posts. 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Celt. Also, though, sometimes purely thoughtless unpleasant comments can do damage and provoke others. And often articles/statements are commented on without reading properly, and then misquoting, accusing others of things they haven't said. Rhiannon

 

Submitted by forest_for_ever on

I kept thinking 'true, true' as I read your poem.  It reminds me of how easily people say hurtful things. Once posted there is no retracting them.  The old saying 'less is more' applies to words too.

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Forest. Words can be so precious and kind too can't they? someone said something like 'Use brain before tongue'! And I think of Psalm 141:3 'Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.' Rhiannon

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

Thought provoking piece, Rhiannon, and certainly struck a chord with me.  I get particularly fed up with the constant excuse 'Ooops, I misspoke'.  Well think what you're saying before opening trap or putting fingers to keyboard then!  And yes, people do pile in all guns blazing before properly reading what's been said or thinking whether or not they actually have anything useful to contribute.

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Airy. So easy to gabble thoughtlessly. We need to handle our words as carefully as a soldier his weaponry, or a nurse her medicinal drugs! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

many clever lines in this, particularly like the idea of hoovering up things wished unsaid! I know from my son talking to his friends online in chat writing how easy it is for things which if said with your voice would be known as a joke can seem rude when there's no sound of smiling.

very wise poem

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Thanks, Di. I'm sorry I missed this last night. Good point about the difference between communication where inflection and body language are present and responses seen, with communicating by written words only on the internet. Rhiannon