Michelle Waters Poet Prose Poetry

Battle of Egos

This-
This tableau of 
Mental images, of 
Fixed scenes, this
“Battle of Egos” is
Relentlessly looping
In my mind.

An annual gathering of kith and kin
Created a backdrop of statue-like characters
Blindly unaware of a
Crisis stirring.

Off to the side, there are the mothers,
Pillars of love for their sons,
Paralyzed with the knowledge that they are helpless,
Helpless as they watch
The conflict unfolding.


There-
There are the Fathers and Sons- 
Distant and deaf to each other, who, in their inability to Set aside their own sense of rightness and wrongness,
Reach a point of no return. 
A plea, from one, is given, but seen as a 
Challenge from the other, and the whole
Facade of civility collapses.
 
With faces frozen and actions rigid,
Rage and resolve coalesce. 
Fearful and dauntless, fathers confront sons and sons their fathers, and in that absolute moment
Familial roles shift.

Everything - everything is different, yet
Nothing changes.
Rooted and unmoved, egos remain.
So much is lost.
Nothing-
Nothing is gained.

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Aloo Denish Obiero June 20, 2023 at 11:56 PM Wow, I wish this poem would be sent to all families, especially where ego reign supreme. "A plea, from one, is given, but seen as a Challenge from the other, and the whole Facade of civility collapses." What a powerful message.

Line Gauthier February 13, 2021 at 8:59 PM A pleasure to find your lovely poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Michelle ~

Jennifer Puckett June 25, 2018 at 1:37 AM wow.....love this I love how you can interpret the meaning of words based on your experiences as the reader! Michelle Waters June 25, 2018 at 9:21 AM As a writer, I have always had the goal of somehow connecting with my audience. Thank you for your response!

Lyric Man June 23, 2018 at 10:59 PM Michelle, such a strong and emotive write.. makes one think....... Michelle Waters June 25, 2018 at 9:19 AM Thank you. I’m pleased to know it makes one think. For me, that is why I write.