Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Living Deliberately But Not Without Scars

This is from my favorite poet, Ella Wheeler Wilcox.


Life's Scars

They say the world is round, and yet
I often think it square,
So many little hurts we get
From corners here and there.
But one great truth in life I've found,
While journeying to the West -
The only folks who really wound
Are those we love the best.

The man you thoroughly despise
Can rouse your wrath, 'tis true;
Annoyance in your heart will rise
At things mere strangers do;
But those are only passing ills;
This rule all lives will prove;
The ranking wound which aches and thrills
Is dealt by hands we love.

The choicest garb, the sweetest grace,
Are oft to strangers shown;
The careless
mien, the frowning face,
Are given to our own.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.

Love does not grow on every tree,
Nor true hearts yearly bloom.
Alas for those who only see
This cut across a tomb!
But, soon or late, the fact grows plain
To all through sorrow's test:
The only folks who give us pain
Are those we love the best.


I feel this poem ties in to this fantastic post from my friend in Italy, which focuses on loved ones not being supportive or encouraging, and not really providing unconditional love when it comes to the choices that are made for your own life. And as Michelle said, "some of your loved ones not only won't get it, they won't even care to try."

Our loved ones are really the only ones who have the power to hurt us the most. I think all of us know that first hand. So I guess we all need to try to "care enough to try".


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1 YEAR AGO:
Maybe They Just Don’t Like Oklahomans
2 YEARS AGO:
Mexico? Derecho.
3 YEARS AGO:
Juxtaposition
4 YEARS AGO:
Eddie Sports Pigtails Friday
5 YEARS AGO:
Gambling Under The Big Sky
6 YEARS AGO:
Sleeping Beauty

1 comment:

Michelle | Bleeding Espresso said...

Awesome poem indeed; thanks also for sharing my post. What a wonderful thing, this Internet, to connect us to so many people who do care to try to understand -- and who just get it without even having to try :) xoxo