Cautionary Tale

Tell my woes to River
she listens graciously
an empathic mirror

Not so the Jackdaw
whose arrogant clattering
derides self-pity

Slaps me conscious
for I am victim, yes, and
if not careful, abuser.

(Tuesdays, I borrow from Twitter @Vjknuton.
Image my own)

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VJ

Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

34 thoughts on “Cautionary Tale”

  1. Fascinating last stanza, VJ. This shows a lot of self-awareness, for so often people don’t realise how their actions may be perceived. Love the description of the arrogant jackdaw and the empathic river ❤

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  2. Victims of abuse sometimes become abusers themselves, perhaps not realizing or understanding the reasons why. The self is a result of numerous and complex factors, past and present, which take time to sort out as we grow older. Yours is an awesome and mind-stirring piece, VJ!

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  3. Beautifully observant and honest. Your poetry and art are always intriguing and engaging, VJ.
    I went kayaking Sunday down a slow river – your first stanza resonates deeply with me. 💖

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