Notes About The Poem

Should 4 kids have all the attention? There are so many that suffer fates, that seem worse then death itself...the fear, the pain, the loss of all that could have been. Still, in other people's stories we find the meaningful source of all humanity. We view a cross section, a small offering. I say let us remember even those we have never heard about. This recent U.S. trial of great and varied emotion was worth listening to. The ugly beast didn't blink or show any spark of emotion, but why would it, having gone to such efforts to inflict such horror and shatter so many lives. I listen to honor those lives and even those we don't know. God knows! God sees! God remembers! Vengence is God's! 

A Directional Curse

A Directional Curse

The first time I heard
“Go to hell.”
where it seemed
not just an aimless curse
but a direction.

The empty soul
in bright orange;
couldn’t miss him,
but they aim to.

No emotions,
just a fly on the wall
on sticky tape.

He can’t escape
the familys’ words -
they will be heard.

One father moved
the lectern
to face the beast,
to chastise him
to his face.

One mother preached
with scripture keepsakes
leaving his fate to God.

One day can shatter
so many lives;
temporal tears
will be wiped away
by God.

We don’t teach
our kids to say,
“Go to hell,”
except to send the devil
back where it belongs.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

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Hind Avatar
July 29, 2025 at 8:44 PM
I have never told anyone to go to hell. Such a horrible thing to say. There is power in this write.
Rodrigues Avatar
July 30, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Me neither…It is quite an awful thing…
Maul Avatar
July 29, 2025 at 5:07 AM
As a Christian I can appreciate this piece. When living in the world, it is important to remember that phrases such as " go to hell " have power. God did not put us here to wish condemnation unto one another.
Rodrigues Avatar
July 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM
So true, Mike! Words have power. In this write, it was about a father speaking those words to his child and her friends’ murderer. The one time those words have quite the impact. Other times, people don’t seem to know how horrible they sound…it is a sad occasion to wish someone there, in other words curse them. Thank you for your likewise powerful comment.
Jones Avatar
July 25, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Your poem and poet note is a wonderful sample of your empathetic passionate heart Kim! I was fully engaged and though I can’t recall when I first heard the phrase “Go to hell” I seem to remember it most powerfully when victim families are in court and they give an impact statement to the accused perpetrator. Your poem is like a war cry for that to me! Well done!
Rodrigues Avatar
July 25, 2025 at 9:37 AM
It is a sad cry, more than an emotional cry…it is a cry for justice. Thank you, dear one! Hugs
DiMino Avatar
July 25, 2025 at 7:45 AM
My heart bleeds sorrow for those families. We have the power to change all of this...but it requires all of us working, praying together. We have the God given power. Great poem as usual. You write nothing insignificant. Blessings.
Wolf Avatar
July 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
I think I was about 7 when I first heard Go to H. 7 months, that is. Not much these virgin ears didn't hear growing p...
Rodrigues Avatar
July 25, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Yes, we all hear things after a while, robbing us of our innocence. This particular Go to H seemed apropos, though I do not wish that on anyone.
Etgen-Baker Avatar
July 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
the after effect can be more damaging, I think. I was 18 the first time I heard "Go to Hell." My roommate was directing at me, of course. I'd never heard that phrase going up and certainly not delivered with such animosity. I guess I never forgot it...not a phrase I like to use or hear even now.
Rodrigues Avatar
July 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
I agree. The sentencing it was quite apt, sadly so.
Alhemaidy Avatar
July 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Great poem!
Rodrigues Avatar
July 24, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Thank you, Abdullah!
Rodgers Avatar
July 24, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Dear Kim, One day can shatter so many lives. You honor not just the pain, but the aftershocks, the attempts at healing or revenge that come wrapped in ritual and words. “Go to hell” isn’t something we teach our children, unless it’s to banish something truly evil. That twist, both defiant and sorrowful, lingers. Summer Blessings, Dear Kim, Daniel
Rodrigues Avatar
July 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Phew…sigh…I hope this poem, in some way honors them. God bless you! Happy Summer and thank you for reading!
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