Words or Fists

The month of August has arrived, and I’m moving along on my quest to post a blog daily. I challenged myself to this intense post schedule. I have used the year 2021 to explore the various forms of poetry. This month I decided to write Proverbial forms of poetry. I will pick a proverb, a short common saying, and use it to create a poem in whatever direction the Muse chooses to lead me. However, you must remember we are talking about Word Daddy here. My Muse isn’t dependability or inspirational.  He often leaves me high and dry when I need his help the most. Apparently, Proverbials have no particular rules. I will try not to sound cliché. My next attempt to write a Proverbial Poem, I will call Words or Fists.

Words or Fists

In this poem, I will attempt to combine The Irish proverbs “A good word never broke a tooth” and “It’s often a man’s mouth broke his nose” with the idea of “choose your words wisely.”

Words or Fists

I learned long ago in my youth

A good word never broke a tooth.

That didn’t say much to explain my damaged nose

Busted on the playground after the words I chose.

The experience led to a lesson well learned

Respect is something that has to be earned.

Words chosen wisely as everyone knows

Brings peace to a fight and saves your nose.

There are times when it is better to run away

And live to fight another day.

Antagonizing a bully on the playground

Never a good idea and politically unsound

Fourth-grade politics can be so uncouth

It takes a diplomat or an intelligent sleuth

To navigate around the bullies and their crew

A soft word turns away wrath, and I wish I knew

To choose my words wisely when faced with a fight

The perfect combination might make things right

But bullies will be bullies because that’s what they do.

Sometimes the choice isn’t left up to you.

The only way to resolve the conflict is a balled-up fist.

A punch to the face to add to the list

Of childhood transgressions performed in ignorance

The best solution is often to keep your distance.

Who is Molly Shea?

Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh.  To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.

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