30 November 2016

Pariah


Olaus Magnus - On the Violent Wind Circius.jpg
Source


Am I duckling that swans must gawk?
Among songbirds a hungry hawk?
An angry cat out for a walk?

Someone again has told my tale
because it never seems to fail
that when I glow others turn pale.

And whisper. Talk is sheathing me
who else might pierce all that I see
with sharpened blades of mystery.



For my prompt 

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Social Stigma



My blog poems are rough drafts. 
Please respect my copyright.
© 2016 Susan L. Chast




13 comments:

  1. Anyone who has ever been a duck, cat or hawk knows what that feels like...sadly nothing seems to have changed...the gawkers and talkers persist.

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  2. love the examples you've used here...three exquisite stanzas..really if there's any sin in this world it is to ostracize someone...

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  3. "Someone again has told my tale
    because it never seems to fail
    that when I glow others turn pale..." Wow!!!- that's how an outcast spirit takes a flight and heals!
    Intense piece, Susan! Very powerful lines...

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  4. It is difficult being under scrutiny. I have watched my daughter going through that lately. People have no idea how painful their judgments are. So well expressed, Susan.

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  5. Ah, the sheath and the blade. Very nice ending

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  6. well composed. the weight of scrutiny

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  7. How important it is to be oneself. The worst thing with childhood is being made to conform until like the ugly duckling you can emerge and be that swan...yourself.

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  8. Someone again has told my tale
    because it never seems to fail
    that when I glow others turn pale.

    Whistles!!❤️ I LOVE the intensity of this ❤️


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  9. That duckling really caught my emotions.. far better to be a thoughtful ducking than superficial swan.. it is sad that the world turns ducklings into pariahs..

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  10. Oh, it is hard to be gawked at and talked about. This poem is painfully realistic, something I think many of us feel at one time or another.

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  11. You describe a painful and difficult situation, yes – and I admire how beautifully you have written all the same.

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  12. keep on glowing
    the others will eventually
    pale into insignificance and nothingness

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  13. Great take on the theme, Susan. Stigma does involve a lot of talking and gawking, but unfortunately in many cases the prejudice and hate is so great that physical violence is added to the looks and words...
    Well-penned!

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