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Detente

Because peace is more important than winning...

Like arrows shot right through a weary heart
these words in anger pierce the tender flesh. 
This gift of verse, each eager to impart
feels wasted as our egos wax afresh. 

Why can't we just agree to disagree 
and check our pride outside the cyber door? 
Perhaps agape love still holds the key 
to ending this vain philosophic war. 

There was a time we shared each other's muse 
and wrote a song for all the world to hear. 
Such loving lyrics penned in rainbow hues 
gave both of us a vision that seemed clear. 

To ponder losing this I cannot bear 
these humble words reveal that I still care.

Copyright © Tom Woody | Year Posted 2024

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Susan Ashley Date: 9/9/2025 6:08:00 PM Dear Tom, so glad you dusted off this inspiring poem to shine once again with a win in Mark’s contest. I’m delighted to return with my heartiest congratulations ! A wonderful reread. Warmest wishes, my poet friend.. ~Susan Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 9/10/2025 4:42:00 AM Thx Susan. This is an oldie I resurrected from a previous account. Did much better this time around. They say timing is everything

Mark Toney Date: 9/6/2025 9:16:00 PM Tom, your beseeching sonnet contrasts how “words in anger pierce the tender flesh,” with the hope of reconciliation through humility and love. Congratulations on your top 10 win on Mile 14 of my 2025 Poetry Marathon Contest. We’re well past the halfway point! Keep your running shoes on, because Mile 15 has already started. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 9/7/2025 5:11:00 AM Still runnin'

Bill Baker Date: 7/23/2025 6:04:00 PM Went back and found a Sonnet to read. It turned out to be a good one with wisdom included. Write On! my friend, Bill Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 7/23/2025 6:30:00 PM Awesome sentiments. Not always easy to implement. Thx Bill

Tonye George Date: 2/1/2025 7:00:00 AM I wonder if a time like this would ever come. A time when people would understand that greed and war has been the source of all our problems and it has taken us no where. This is a very nice and needed piece, dear Tommy. Great work. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 2/1/2025 11:11:00 AM This was actually a very personal write but I'm glad so many could identify with it. Thank you

Alesia Leach Date: 1/10/2025 3:38:00 PM Your sonnet is heartfelt and eloquent capturing the emotional toll of conflict and the longing for reconciliation. Beautiful! Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 1/10/2025 3:43:00 PM Funny thing is I wrote this many years ago about a conflict I was having with a treasured poet pal. Seems to have resonated

Cloud Fever Date: 12/19/2024 8:34:00 PM Peace before everything, the world needs this beautiful and powerful message right now. A very well written poem indeed :)) Login to Reply Cloud Fever Date: 1/10/2025 8:12:00 PM You are welcome. Also it doesn't matter actually, just 'cloud' is fine :) Tom Woody Date: 1/10/2025 3:42:00 PM Thx much Mr cloud (or is it Ms.?)

Crystol Woods Date: 12/3/2024 12:32:00 PM Way to go Tom! Congratulations! Xo Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 12/3/2024 1:04:00 PM Absolutely! Thx Crystol Woods Date: 12/3/2024 12:39:00 PM I reread this, always a pleasure to read your poetry... that first line struck me anew..."Because peace is more important than winning..." Just a provoking thought... it depends on what you are fighting for. I'll never make peace with evil, as I know you won't. When fighting evil(the evil one) , we know good (God)will win in the end! Xoxo

Anonomus Scorpio Date: 11/30/2024 7:08:00 AM I would argue that no one has asked a more worthy question.In the last thirty five years. "Why can't we just agree to disagree and check our pride outside the cyber door?" Your positivity shows deeply through my friend. Regards A.S. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 11/30/2024 5:29:00 PM Achtung my anon pal!

Karen Jones Date: 11/30/2024 6:21:00 AM Flawless rhyme with a humbling message! It’s nice that you care Tom and never change that! Congratulations on your win! Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 11/30/2024 5:29:00 PM Gracias, gracias

Janis Medders Tobechi Date: 11/29/2024 2:54:00 PM Very well expressed. Well-structured sonnet. Judging was hard and took a lot of research and evaluation. Thank you for contributing your poetic gift to the world and contest. Blessings, Janis Congratulation Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 11/29/2024 4:03:00 PM Thx

Susan Ashley Date: 11/18/2024 6:38:00 PM Dear Tom, you bared your heart so beautifully upon the poetic page. "There was a time we shared each other's muse" - so true, so poignant! Unfortunately, passion and creativity can flare in undesirable ways as well. Your couplet says it all, my poet friend. Warmest wishes my poet friend.. ~Suze Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 11/19/2024 5:24:00 AM Thx for visiting Woody's page

David Crandall Date: 11/15/2024 10:37:00 AM I likek "Peace is more important than winning" Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 11/15/2024 1:22:00 PM Yessir Mr Crandall sir. Thx for stop

Valsa George Date: 11/5/2024 9:22:00 PM Let us strive for peace and love. We really need a d'etente in this war- torn world. Let us end our rivalries, see each other as fellow beings, bound by love. Inspirational poems like yours can highlight the positive side of life. Thanks dear Tom for your loving exhortation to humanity to walk in the path of peace. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 11/6/2024 5:28:00 AM Appreciate your support Valsa

Not Golden Silence Date: 11/5/2024 5:54:00 AM The world is upside down, and it is going to stay like this. I can understand your anger, but modern times are a curse. This is a very well-written sonnet, which I have enjoyed and thoroughly understood. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 11/5/2024 6:03:00 AM Hey thx NGS. Yes, topsy turvy world. For now

Robert Gorelick Date: 10/27/2024 12:01:00 PM Your words ring true and are prophetic in these turbulent times. Politics in America have been a contact sport as long as I can remember. A blood sport now. A long litany of demagogues --Huey Long, Father Caughlin --check out George Lincoln Rockwell and David Duke! Trumps not unique, just broke through to the mainstream. America's not Denmark! Excellent, Robert Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/27/2024 12:03:00 PM I'm not into politics Bob, though I get your point. Dysfunction can be found at every level of society

Charles Messina Date: 10/27/2024 7:13:00 AM Very nicely written, Tom. Compassionate and heartfelt. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/27/2024 9:19:00 AM Thx Chas

Zyrool Gifford Date: 10/26/2024 7:12:00 AM Hi Tom, a beautiful piece nicely put. It sure would be nice to experience peace and harmony again. Have a great day, my friend. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/26/2024 9:35:00 AM U2 Zy and thx

Regina Elliott Date: 10/26/2024 4:47:00 AM A very thoughtful and compassionate poem, Tom. Should be a POTD. I strongly agree with it's positive all inclusive message. Have a creative and inspiring Saturday. Blessings :) Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/26/2024 5:18:00 AM Thx for the POTD mention. Have a wonderful day

Alesia Leach Date: 10/25/2024 11:06:00 AM Sharing and caring for each other. I wish everyone felt this way. Beautifully written. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/25/2024 11:08:00 AM Me too Alesis. Me too

Anitha Jayasankar Date: 10/25/2024 12:49:00 AM Beautiful sonnet that voices the importance of peace and unity, Tom. God bless. ~ Ani Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/25/2024 5:31:00 AM Thx Ani. Glad you found your way here

Nette Onclaud Date: 10/24/2024 11:05:00 AM an impeccable poesy signifying the importance of unity in this otherwise abrasive world... so apropos for the month of peace celebrated last October... let peace begin with you, with us, tom! Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/24/2024 11:16:00 AM Yes ma'am. Agreed

Joe Dimino Date: 10/24/2024 7:33:00 AM Absolutely, in fact, there can be no winning without first, self peace. It is complicated, much deeper than one laying down one's arms -- there can be no peace without surrender of lesser ego... -- unfortunately, giving one's self to a higher deity, in most minds, wrongly equates to becoming a puppet of religion...which is far from truth. Well said, Woody. Blessings my friend. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/24/2024 8:03:00 AM An overinflated ego is the cause of so many conflicts. Who can say they haven't struggled? Peace is always the goal, if in reality unachievable

Joseph May Date: 10/23/2024 7:16:00 AM Great writing Tom, and a sentiment we all share, Is this a song in the making Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/23/2024 7:45:00 AM No it's a sonnet. Maria is working on one of my songs now hoping to debut this week. Thx much

Eileen Manassian Date: 10/21/2024 6:54:00 PM Well written sonnet. Mr favorite form. Content matter is important as well. Agape love is God's ideal and only He can provide it. Login to Reply Tom Woody Date: 10/22/2024 5:39:00 AM And we have a choice whether to live by it. Thx Eileen Zyrool Gifford Date: 10/21/2024 10:43:00 PM

Mark Massey Date: 10/19/2024 7:27:00 AM Like you Tom, I have come and gone from this site a couple of times. Recent tones have made me consider it once more…and I rarely interact anymore, never knowing who will be offended…including myself. It may just be the nature of social media (for any medium). I wouldn’t have expected it here though. BTW, excellent sonnet. Login to Reply Mark Massey Date: 10/19/2024 11:04:00 AM You too, Tom. Tom Woody Date: 10/19/2024 10:13:00 AM Thx Mark. Yeah I agree, SM lends itself to jealousies, envies, backbiting and even lies and slander. Fortunately there are more decent people than otherwise. Hang in there

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