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Misinterpretation

A word, a gesture or a shrug
Can be misunderstood
And trying to explain intent
Most often does no good.

For those insulted want to see
What they expect is meant;
And if that context isn’t there,
They cannot be content.

To justify the way they feel,
Their misinterpretation
Becomes so real to them they need
No further confirmation.

It’s useless, then, to clarify
The essence you intended,
For in their wounded state you can’t
Assuage the ones offended.

It blows my mind how words can be
Destroyed with just a twist,
‘Cause explanations can’t undo
Assumptions that persist.

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  1. Date: 11/19/2012 3:22:00 PM

    It's so hard to say just the right words! A very true write here [soup mail] Light & Love

  1. Date: 10/31/2012 12:48:00 PM

    And just what can a person say that doesn't cause one to dismay. Sometimes it seems it's a lost cause. Is that why women started burning bra's? Awsome poem again ilene.

  1. Date: 10/29/2012 4:07:00 PM

    it is bad enough when it happens to individual people.. but in history how many have lost their lives because of it....nation against nation...the first world war a prime example...you have highlighted an extreme problem in the world not only today, but in history... wonderful poem..,..

    johnson Avatar robert johnson Date: 10/31/2012 12:49:00 PM Block poet from commenting on your poetry

    Harry Horsman for president. :)
  1. Date: 10/29/2012 1:52:00 PM

    I love this Ilene. People miss a lot in life because of a misunderstanding. I know - I've been there. It happened in my family. Lucilla

  1. Date: 10/29/2012 8:27:00 AM

    Yes, what one intends can be misunderstood ..They say that more misunderstanding can happen when one is not talking face to face for one needs to see the person to get the full expressions of the face and body to get the message...There are people who can not read those body messages very well though and they are still missing something..Thanks for stopping by my work..Enjoyed reading this today..Sara

  1. Date: 10/29/2012 8:23:00 AM

    I love your combination of truth and sarcasm. I know people exactly this way, you have described them perfectly.

  1. Date: 10/29/2012 8:00:00 AM

    Very "person centred" as my mum would say. Nice work!