(Not the Stuff) #Poem born thanks to #3WW

When I saw the word offering from Three Word Wednesday I was a bit perturbed. I didn't feel compelled to be bullied into a negative word space. I rolled my eyes at my poetic compadres who see the world as bleak and ugly. And then... as I wrote into the words something happened. I didn't have any gritty photos to accompany this poem which isn't even truly gritty either, but this feels somewhat like a transition into a week of intentional grimeyness. Perhaps a bit of an Oscar-the-Grouch phase.

To borrow a phrase from a friend, I am molto grateful today for these particular words:

abuse, cramp, hatred

and the poem they helped midwife.

(Not the Stuff)

(this is not the stuff I normally write of)
My shoulders reach to my ears
muscles cramp at the reality of
hatred, thwarting efforts to focus
on good, right, holy, loved
I prefer bumper stickers
that proclaim "Shift happens"
and "Love wins" to the semi
abusive "My loser student beat
up your honor student"

(this is not the stuff I normally write of)
and why not, for once, stretch into
degradation, filth, chaotic and
flashingly romantic disarray?
wouldn't it be better to soak
in the stench of maggot laced garbage
than the unbelievable rainbows and
butterflies of blinder wearing  ice
skaters who refuse to experience
the all which this life offers?

(this is not the stuff I normally write of)
so this week, I will
 

Comments

[Anthony North]

And you did the stuff you don't normally write of very well.

[mark]

I concur with Anthony. Well said, and getting out of your comfort zone.

[Amity]

Well, i like the stuff you wrote...sometimes we have those moments of denial, like when we don't feel like writing, but what comes out is just extraordinary and beautiful thoughts Julie!

Loved the stuff which you usually do not write!!!:)

[Dee]

If we don't see the garbage we have nothing to compare the rainbows to eh? I liked it!

[Thomma Lyn]

Heh! I like this poem -- the bad things in life make us appreciate all the more the good.

[Tilly Bud]

Nicely done. I like the refrain.

[Ramesh Sood]

This is beautiful.. and you wrote what you dont't.. wow!

[Gemma@Greyscale]

Strange how often the dark murkiness of storm clouds gives birth to some of the brightest rainbows of all! An interesting piece!

[Leo]

goes to show we can do anythin, even if out of comfort zone. it was very beautiful.. :)

umm, i'm a poet, but dont feel the world is bleak n ugly anyways :D :)

[K]

I absolutely like this. Can't speak for anyone else, but like isn't about all positive beautiful glorious things...as such writing about "the stuff you don't usually write about" gives depth and shows a willingness to see all of the world.
Beautifully expressed.

[one more believer]

funny, i too reacted the same way to thommygz 3ww pick... a great pause in between and then there it was... i thoroughly enjoyed the journey where this took me... as kids we were fascinated by maggot infested garbage the movement was mezmerizing!!!!