Mixed Nuts

Thrown together
by circumstances
outside our realm
of control-
as in a bowl
our varied shells
create a still-life
a study in contrasts
of creative coverings
devised so well

Some like smooth pebbles
all polished and shiny
or rough and scarred
all coarse and craggy

Some barely masked like
peanuts, thin and papery
others heavily armored
walled off, impenetrable

Light and dark
bitter and sweet
mere tender morsels
in our shells
vulnerability itself
delicately raw
ever so fragile
and flimsy-frail

Need for these shells
protective coverings
begs the question-

Who hurt you?

which echoes back
over and over
to you
and you
and you
and you-

Who hurt you?

Was it your mother
father, brother?
Sister, cousin, uncle
aunt?

Can't we figure out who
hurt who?
Can't we stop this
question chant?

Who hurt you?

Who hurt you?

Who hurt who?

Some would like to
crack the shells
open every one
up wide-
But, for me
I'd have to take
quite a different side

For shells are Nature's
loving way
of protecting
what is good
so shells are not
the enemy
they're doing
what they should!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
November 10, 2018 at 10:57 AM
very interesting how you presented this metaphor for people in their shells. (no wonder we are all so nutty!) I love how you explore aspects of human nature in your poetry, Rhona.
Mcferran Avatar
November 10, 2018 at 12:42 PM
Thank you, my friend! Human nature is my favorite subject... endlessly fascinating and weird! ;D
Krutsinger Avatar
November 9, 2018 at 9:05 PM
I had barely begun to read this when I knew it was going to my FAV list, which is so I can look back at it whenever I want! I love this about the FAV list! There were too many parts for me to pinpoint what grabbed me, as it ALL grabbed me, my friend!
Mcferran Avatar
November 10, 2018 at 7:33 AM
Thank you!! I had a feeling that you would "get" this one (whether anyone else did or not...)! ;)
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