Hell is empty and all the devils are here – William Shakespeare
The cunning hell of mutilated truth
ignites airwaves with gaslight candles.
Do not press your ear into a flame
that demands sacrifice so devils can mine gold.
The human heart cannot thrive on selfish gruel
or grow compassion in the drought of bitter tongues.
Test each word before you speak, because once the knife
cuts you will never escape its wound.
©Susie Clevenger 2020
#napowritmo2020 Day 23
Inspired by: #skyloverwordlist
Oh you've hit close to my heart. The absolute POWER of words. Once uttered, can never be taken back. The power to hurt, to heal, to love, to humor, to slash, to cut, to atone....may we all use our words more carefully!
ReplyDeleteWow, that Shakespearequote could not be more appropriate. This is powerful - the destructive power of words is clearly seen these days - also, the power of words to heal and grow. The effect of some unthinking words sometimes never goes away.
ReplyDelete"Do not press your ear into a flame that demands sacrifice so devils can mine gold," .. my goodness this is potent!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you took the perfect Shakespearean quote and ran with it, Susie. The language in your poem is powerful, especially the ‘cunning hell of mutilated truth / ignites airwaves with gaslight candles’ and ‘The human heart cannot thrive on selfish gruel /or grow compassion in the drought of bitter tongues.’
ReplyDeleteThis is superb from the excellent choice of quote through every couplet to the final line. So on point!
ReplyDeleteI like the Shakespearean flavour of your phrases, 'the drought of bitter tongues' for instance. And that last couplet hits with incredible power.
ReplyDelete