Feeding Ground
Bullets cause death beside me.
They are shaped like words
and feel as leather whips.
They crack and leave broken bones,
broken dreams.
They shatter through windows
and weaken seams.
Missteps cause destruction beside me.
They are shaped of soft lips
and feel like the sun.
They snap ankles,
twisting reality back to truth.
This is what you do –
your miles and miles of misuse.
Faith is brought down before me.
In patterns of politicians,
in verse of destructive precision.
We fight ’til there is no sound,
left naked and unarmed –
on your feeding ground.
*Picture by Akenord
26 Comments
Strong piece Jess. Excellent points in here. Poetically I love the way you set it up. The three stanzas first lines are great. Bullets cause death…/Missteps cause destruction…/Faith is brought down. Very nicely done. Thanks
Thank you my dear. 🙂
‘cracked’ ‘ankles’ ‘snapped’ ~ pain conveyed sharply felt Jess ~
like a ‘greenstick’ fractured ~ split ~ ‘They are shaped of soft lips’~
words ~ that cut deep ~ and consumed ~ whole ~’left naked’ ~ stripped bare ~
really right to the bare knuckle Jess ~ ‘faith brought down’ ~ Lib
I appreciate it Libby. I am happy you came by. 🙂
wow the vulnerability on that feeding ground…the power of words…this is tightly drawn and effective…really nice verse…
Thank you Brian 🙂
bullets like words or words like bullets…both is possible…sad when things hurt us so much and leave us broken…well expressed pain here…felt…
Thank you for reading Claudia! 🙂
nice opening line… the strength in this piece is immense.. great write
Thank you 🙂
“Missteps cause destruction beside me.
They are shaped of soft lips
and feel like the sun.
They snap ankles,
twisting reality back to truth.”
Powerful imagery. Like the way you turn it all round – “twisting reality back to truth”.
Thank you Adura 🙂
Whoa, poet! Fierce images abound! Snapped ankles? Are you kidding me…the thought alone brings goosebumps and sickened stomach! Needless to say you’ve more than touched this reader…uggg Let’s hope those feeding grounds can remain occupied long enough to accomplish some change!
You are too sweet my dear! Thank you love. 🙂
So powerfully expressed…”We fight ’til there is no sound,
left naked and unarmed –
on your feeding ground.” ~ I felt this one..great write
I appreciate it Louise 🙂
Powerful and great write.
Thank you Ayala 🙂
I forgot how hard that beautiful butterfly could sting. Great to see you, Jess. And great to read your powerful words here.
You are a sweet one Joe. Love & Hugs. xoxoxo
Great use if imagery to describe the feelings of pain and suffering. Loved it
Thank you! 🙂
Angry and powerful…strong piece of writing as always. // Peter.
Thank you sweetie 🙂
The first few lines in this poem creates an imagery of the power of words so well! “they are shaped like words but feel like leather whips. Very well written piece
Thank you so much, I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂