Slack

“Stop pushing so hard”
“I can't take the pressure”

I heard someone say
just the other day

“I really feel that
I should do this...
but I'm pulled the other way”

As if we are caught
in a web of our making
all tangled up
in each others strings

Twisted and manipulated
into certain duties
when our efforts
would be better spent
on more important things

Judging, demanding
not understanding
we all have struggles
we don't always share

And sometimes-
just sometimes
we need understanding
a fragment of empathy
compassion or care

So lean back, stop pushing
stop pulling those strings
and exercise some feeling
and kindness it brings
 
Cut each other slack
and loosen the tension
for we are all struggling
to just keep our heads

Yes, gently throw down
a few extra life-lines
for we are all hanging
by various threads
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Proxenos Avatar
November 10, 2018 at 1:26 AM
Hi Rhona, A beautiful poem and so absolutely true. We feel obligated to do what others persuade us to do, and sometimes go along with the flow to keep the peace, we don't stop and ask ourselves - what about me and what I want for a change?) Well done Best wishes, Jennifer
Mcferran Avatar
November 10, 2018 at 7:30 AM
Thank you for the lovely comment! ...and best wishes to you, too! ;)
Krutsinger Avatar
November 9, 2018 at 9:01 PM
So telling, insightful and true, especially this part: "Judging, demanding not understanding we all have struggles we don't always share" You always rise to the occasion and AMAZE me!
Mcferran Avatar
November 10, 2018 at 7:29 AM
Thank you, my friend- you've made my muse strut around all puffed up & haughty this morning!! ;D
Gauthier Avatar
November 9, 2018 at 4:47 PM
Yes absolutely, Rhona. "Cut each other slack". Well done.
Mcferran Avatar
November 9, 2018 at 6:24 PM
Thank you, Line!! ;)
Leffanta Avatar
November 9, 2018 at 12:27 PM
People weave their webs to make their life more interesting and - like spiders - suddenly discover opposing elements make it too difficult to control, so well thought out and executed, Rhona! Aloha! Rico
Mcferran Avatar
November 9, 2018 at 6:24 PM
Thank you for the kind & thoughtful comment, Rico! Aloha! ;)
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