They curse each other, yet I'm the one to bleed
My soul is wounded in a battle I didn't fight in
They pretend they care, tending to my injuries
But shun the truce that I so desperately need
They'd much rather that I choose a side
When I just want them both to quit the hate
They stand for what they think to be right
& I'm here wishing, they chose love instead
I try to understand everyone's vulnerability
But they don't see, that it also pains me
They're asking for a more supportive world
As I pray for reconciliation, in my found family
Tugging at my strings, both hope to draft me
I was born to one side, come rain or shine
But they know I also regard the other deeply
And so in silence, all of my strength I yield
My lips sealed tight to keep the fragile peace
Papering over the cracks of a tattered harmony
Someday soon, I know, we all shall be one again
I'd be glad then, not having fanned the flames
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142,020 Literary Works • 676,357 Reviews
A poem about broken friendships, and how it feels like to be torn in the middle. Hopefully we'll all find our way back to each other one day, and see the sunset together like the old times.
Look, I found another of your poems on my TBR. Ah I am so satisfied with today’s Review Day~
maybe it is that tag but it makes me think abt how the struggle between political parties hurts the voters in between (Alex, it is nearly midnight, my brain is walking down weird paths XD)Oha a politics tag, now Alex, colour me intrigued!
It might also be an actual battle. I do like that there are multiple interpretations. I am especially intrigued by this push for compromise here (aka the truce)
It could also relate to being the liaison between to friend groups that hate each other while you actually like them both…
Oh it might also be… something closer to home. Where the politics inside one family are drifting apart and there’s nothing you can do to bridge the difference, how politics is driving a wedge between ppl…
Oh my the manipulation here! Also love that you call it that they want to “draft” the narrator. As if this is war. Very good!
I like how you manage to make “not engaging” sound like the noble way (even if I vehemently disagree—but it really fits you. This is you :hug: )
Like that if we just tough this out for now, things will return back to normal. I hope your thinking will prevail.
And in a more "mundane" setting of broken friendships (having read the sticked comment) I think not taking a side will actually lead to the best result. There is something in having one neutral party they can all turn to. Even if that neutral party is burdened with keeping the peace!
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Hey, Tikaa! I really appreciate getting sooo many reviews from you, literally the best thing ever <3
You have a very good imagination, Tikaa XD and dw I get the review day exhaustion more than anyone.
Oh, you're spot on with that!
I was actually worried this didn't sound so good, glad to know you think it works!
I think I did as well, Tikaa, but I've learnt it's the only way at times. For a long time, I did too much. Now I've learnt to conserve my energy and focus it within.
The sad reality for a lot things, sadly.
Thank you so much, I never seemed to get enough! =)
I'm also happy to be able to write you these reviews :3
you should just give me a list of all the things I haven't yet read bc I find navigating portfolios for non-novels extremely confusing .-.
"I was actually worried this didn't sound so good, glad to know you think it works!"
It's fine, dw :3
"Now I've learnt to conserve my energy and focus it within."
Wise words, friend :3
I'll admit I'm just horrible at organising too.. Lol you're only yet to read my older works now and half of those are embarrassingly bad. Still, expect that PM soon
beautiful work! i enjoyed reading it.
Thank you! <3
This is great, good job.
I've never really been one for poetry but this drew me in very quickly so commendations (I think thats the right word). I love the reconciling bit and openly talking about grief and emotional wounds. Great, extensive vocabulary, yet I can understand it and be on the same wave length. I definitely see the conflicts and they are awesome, I wish you all the best with your writing, there is truly a lot of potential... Good job!
Kinda confused because the reconciliation you mentioned never happens, but thanks for the review anyways!
Hello! Always love some friendship angst.
I really like the battle imagery here. The narrator isn't participating in the actual conflict, yet they're still the one sustaining injuries, which immediately establishes for me the unfairness of the situation. That blends really nicely with:
There's an interesting contradiction here - both sides apparently care enough about the narrator to tend to their wounds, while simultaneously refusing to stop doing the thing that's hurting them. I like how ironic that seems to be, and it feels fittingly self-defeating for the narrator to realize. They're treating the symptom while preserving the source of the injury.
Tiny wording note though,"shun away the truce" sounds a little unnatural to me. You could say they "shun the truce" or "shy away from a truce," depending on the meaning you want, maybe?
I also particularly love:
There's a distinction between being "right" and being loving that feels important here. Both groups presumably believe they have legitimate reasons for their anger, and I appreciate that the poem doesn't necessarily say either party is completely WRONG. The narrator understands their vulnerability later on, too. Their frustration seems to come from the fact that righteousness has become more important to everyone than preserving their relationships. I do like that!
Earlier, "born to one side" made me wonder whether I am dealing with an inherited identity / community contrasted against one the narrator later chose for themselves. Like, is one person closer to them than the other? I know you've mentioned friendships, so there's a lot of emotional potential there to uncover! After that, I feel like the poem becomes not only about two people fighting, but about someone's sense of belonging being divided between something "inherited" and something more deliberately chosen by them.
I enjoyed this though - very resonating! I'd especially love to see the poem push a little further into the narrator's personal relationship with each "side." The hints about found family feel like there's something really compelling underneath them.
All the best!
Hey there, weaver! Thanks for the solid review, you've been most helpful. The comment on 'shun away' has been noted & I'm looking for alternatives already. About digging more into the sides, it's a valid ask. But I wanted to keep the details vague so as to keep it more resonating. Thank you immensely, for your thorough insights!