Something Better

It's hard not to look at the stupidity all around and not feel angry. I am no saint. Anger tore a gash in my side and settled in my stomach. But although it tries to burble up my throat when I speak, it doesn't have my mind, nor will it ever take my heart.

I have enough rage
to burn, but it won't help us.
Love's the only way
to smash a cycle of hurt
so something better can grow.

Song Choice: For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield

This poem was created for Imaginary Gardens with Real Toads' prompt, Wordy Friday with Wild Woman: Staying Strong in a World of Climate Crisis.


Love by Robert Indiana

Posted by on
Labels: , ,

72 comments:

  1. Sherry Blue SkyDecember 27, 2019 at 8:03 AM

    Yes, only love - and action - can save us now. And hopefully voting, if they can un-rig the process.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyDecember 27, 2019 at 8:12 AM

      I find love is a good motivator for action, that goes for voting and working with groups that are actively combating things like gerrymandering.

      Delete
  2. MarianDecember 27, 2019 at 9:56 AM

    Beautiful, Rommy. Uplifting. Difficult to do. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jae RoseDecember 27, 2019 at 10:15 AM

    Love is indeed the most powerful of feelings and actions - happy new year to you

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kerry O'ConnorDecember 27, 2019 at 12:16 PM

    This is a very wise perspective to take. There is a lot to be angry about, but creative problem solving is a better long-term solution.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyDecember 28, 2019 at 7:08 AM

      Exactly. Without love, there won't be a long-term worth planning for (or any long-term at all).

      Delete
  5. Debra She Who SeeksDecember 27, 2019 at 12:52 PM

    Wise words!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ron.December 27, 2019 at 1:51 PM

    Hey, what IS that sound? Imagine.

    Great, uplifting message. Thanx.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyDecember 28, 2019 at 7:15 AM

      You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one...

      Delete
  7. tonispencerDecember 27, 2019 at 4:05 PM

    Love. that is inded the only things.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyDecember 28, 2019 at 7:20 AM

      Anger and resentment shrink away when we recognize the humanity of others in their suffering find compassion.

      Delete
  8. Rosemary Nissen-WadeDecember 27, 2019 at 11:25 PM

    Absolutely true! And often so difficult.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyDecember 28, 2019 at 7:21 AM

      So, so very difficult. Especially for a hothead like me! :D But I can't not try.

      Delete
  9. Revived WriterDecember 28, 2019 at 12:40 AM

    I agree with your poem, Rommy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. R's RueDecember 28, 2019 at 6:15 PM

    Very true.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Kim M. RussellDecember 29, 2019 at 3:06 AM

    That’s a great song choice, Rommy, and I felt the anger in your words, especially the gash and the burbling, which are familiar these days, even when we know how true it is that ‘love's the only way to smash a cycle of hurt so something better can grow’.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyDecember 31, 2019 at 11:12 AM

      I root for my better angels to have the last words in the end.

      Delete
    2. Kim M. RussellJanuary 12, 2020 at 3:55 AM

      I can understand those flashes of rage, Rommy, and how they cause a kind of indigestion of the soul – although they also give me physical gyp!

      Thank you for sharing an old favourite song of mine – I haven’t heard it for a while.

      Delete
  12. JimDecember 29, 2019 at 9:12 AM

    Love can do wonders. There is sooo much hate in our world today. Greed and hate tears down years of good works.
    ..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yvonne OsborneDecember 29, 2019 at 9:30 AM

    Yes, love and action!
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Magaly GuerreroDecember 30, 2019 at 4:20 PM

    Rage is a needy fuel. It can help us move through life, but it can also burn too much (if we aren't forever vigilant. And who wants to live like that?). Love is always the way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyDecember 31, 2019 at 11:14 AM

      I'm too busy to baby-sit rage all the time, so I let love take over whenever possible.

      Delete
    2. Magaly GuerreroJanuary 11, 2020 at 11:52 PM

      Rage is like fire, isn't it? Fuel it too much and everything burns. Including us.

      Delete
    3. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 4:59 PM

      Yes, that's it exactly. And that's coming from someone who is often charmed by a fire. When it's controlled, when it has purpose, fire is a wonderful thing. But when it isn't/ doesn't...

      Delete
  15. Magic Love CrowJanuary 1, 2020 at 6:04 PM

    Yes, Love is the only way! Big Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rosemary Nissen-WadeJanuary 12, 2020 at 12:41 AM

    I need this reminder many times over!

    ReplyDelete
  17. ThotpurgeJanuary 12, 2020 at 2:03 AM

    True that, though it is hard!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:03 PM

      Wretchedly, almost impossibly so on some occasions!

      Delete
  18. hyperCRYPTICalJanuary 12, 2020 at 4:39 AM

    Much wisdom here Rommy.
    Love is the only way.
    Anna :o]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:06 PM

      It's the best way to give something a fighting shot at lasting

      Delete
  19. Dr. Vandana SharmaJanuary 12, 2020 at 6:41 AM

    It feels like a karmic bond is about to be set free and reunite again in new form, with love galore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:12 PM

      I hadn't seen that aspect to it, but that's pretty cool. :)

      Delete
  20. Sanaa RizviJanuary 12, 2020 at 9:06 AM

    This is beautifully evocative, Rommy!💝 Love is always the way to go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:17 PM

      I think we should at least consider what love has to offer, yes.

      Delete
  21. LoriJanuary 12, 2020 at 9:57 AM

    I can feel the roiling! How rage lives in the stomach, but not the heart and mind. Something that can be swallowed and held down. Love the best tonic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:23 PM

      Held in check, swallowed, and harnessed, yes. But you're right that without that dose of love, all you'll have is indigestion.

      Delete
  22. kaykualaJanuary 12, 2020 at 10:03 AM

    to smash a cycle of hurt
    so something better can grow.

    Love comes away as a conduit so that its benefits can easily get better and better as it gets through it!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
  23. Joel (@Stranded Tree)January 12, 2020 at 10:30 AM

    As a person that ignores the adage: "slow to anger..." I need a reminder once in a while. Thank you, Rommy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:49 PM

      Yeah, I'm not always super successful at it too

      Delete
  24. Magical Mystical TeacherJanuary 12, 2020 at 10:50 AM

    So many of us are looking for something better to grow where now there is only death and destruction!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:52 PM

      Hopefully there's enough anger to change looking to action, and enough love to know that a scorched earth doesn't yield much food.

      Delete
  25. Myrna R.January 12, 2020 at 12:20 PM

    I understand and feel your rage. Sometimes, I just don't know how to love enough to make a difference. I guess those of us who love must stay strong to overshadow the hatred that exists.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:58 PM

      It's really hard for me too a lot of days. It helps when I start thinking of the things I love and want to protect. Then I get up and do The Good Things as I call them, and try to let my love for the people in my life eclipse the anger.

      Delete
  26. HelenJanuary 12, 2020 at 12:34 PM

    I love your positive affirmation .... and I join you in spreading the love.

    ReplyDelete
  27. C. SandlinJanuary 12, 2020 at 12:40 PM

    Anger has always been my strongest emotion & I am consistently amazed by those who can suppress it to get something done (or fixed).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 6:11 PM

      I fail at suppressing it. I can harness it. Use it to get to where I want to be. Of course, the trouble is keeping on top of it so it serves me and not the other way around.

      Delete
  28. Gillena CoxJanuary 12, 2020 at 12:45 PM

    Love indeed
    Happy Sunday Rommy

    Much❤🌷❤love

    ReplyDelete
  29. brudbergJanuary 12, 2020 at 3:14 PM

    I think we need some rage in the world today... if it can be channeled correctly it's where our strength is

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 7:10 PM

      Channeled correctly, I completely agree. We need it. But I know that focusing on rage all the time isn't healthy for me. So for purely selfish reasons, I turn to love so I'm not consumed whole.

      Delete
  30. ZQJanuary 12, 2020 at 4:32 PM

    Well understood!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Audrey Howitt aka DivaloungerJanuary 12, 2020 at 4:38 PM

    So very true! It takes courage to love when there is so much hate

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 8:08 PM

      Courage and no small amount of discipline.

      Delete
  32. H. HennenburgJanuary 12, 2020 at 5:21 PM

    Yes, love has to be bigger than rage or fear. It is the only way through to something better. I love your imagery and phrasing of this truth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 8:56 PM

      Here's hoping more people start realizing there's something better.

      Delete
  33. Susie ClevengerJanuary 12, 2020 at 6:37 PM

    Oh, I know how rage poisons. There are times I need small doses so I can stand up against what is determined to shoot me down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 8:57 PM

      Small doses sure. But that's no way to live long term.

      Delete
  34. Old EggJanuary 12, 2020 at 7:09 PM

    Sadly humanity is a very poor example of a civilised creature. In fact we mostly hate exach other, are greedy and live only for the competition and not to keep our race surviving but attempting to be better off that anyone else regardless of the consequences.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RommyJanuary 12, 2020 at 8:57 PM

      Unfortunately too many people are like that.

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)