John Watt Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Two-Edged Swords

I write of two-edged swords (that tired clichè)
as though this modern boy knew hilt from blade;
as if I had been taught of true swordplay,
not learned from movies Errol Flynn had made.
But plainly put, things work more than one way:
the lake that offers joy can also drown,
the sun that melts the wax can harden clay, 
the fire that heats the meal burns houses down.
A hammer is adept at building things, 
though hammer's claw might tear the same apart.
The kiss that first gave freedom to love's wings,
when given to another, broke my heart.
Two-edged clichès may give the reader pause - 
I know firsthand the damage they can cause. 

written 30 Apr 2022

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Michael Tor September 26, 2022 at 5:00 PM John very well thought of. Clever and true. An enlightening Poem to read. Thanks for sharing. Blessings my friend... John Watt September 26, 2022 at 5:35 PM What a pleasant surprise to see your kind comment. You are one of the few who goes back in time and comments on older poems. I like that about you. Thank you, friend ~ John

Connie Marcum Wong July 21, 2022 at 12:08 PM I thought I had read most of your sonnets John, but found this is one I missed. I was ill at the time you posted this one and not online much. This poem is truly exceptional and well penned John. I really love it and I am putting it into my Faves. It is a brilliant sonnet! Blessings xxoo John Watt July 21, 2022 at 4:02 PM These words coming from a sonnet composer of your mastery means the world to me. Thank you for making my day today with this high praise and for making this a Fave. You are so generous with warm encouragement and you have blessed me so much this week with your kind words. God bless you!

Jennifer Proxenos May 5, 2022 at 12:22 PM Very clever poem -' I know first-hand the damage they can cause' - such a real poem ' a fire that heats the meal burns houses down, the lake that offers joy can also drown' the one that you first loved who broke your heart - that made me sad. John your poems are so earthy, I Can't explain them any other way my friend, be well and keep writing with your golden nib that sprinkles fairy dust. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. John Watt May 5, 2022 at 2:21 PM Thank you dear Jenn, for this one comes from a place of sorrow. My mother's 5-year-old brother died in a house fire and my 16-year-old cousin drowned in a lake. Those have become more than metaphors to me, they are life-altering pages from family history. I have never written of either incident and this sonnet is, in part, a memorial to them. Thank you for your lovely and empathetic comment. Hugs ~ John

Alexis Y. May 4, 2022 at 11:48 AM WoW! John, How did I missed this? You composed such a well-written Sonnet. I echo what Belle said. Tearing down that old molded cabinet inspired you to write a masterpiece. Excellent job. Have a nice day my friend:-) Alexis John Watt May 4, 2022 at 8:15 PM Alexis, you are too kind, my friend. Thank you for thinking this is a masterpiece (and for going way down in the comments to read my hammer story!) not to mention your sweet comment. Enjoy your day ~ John

Beryl Edmonds May 3, 2022 at 2:13 PM A very cleverly crafted sonnet John - “Words can cut like a knife deeply, yet words can heal one’s hurts completely.” ~ Belle John Watt May 3, 2022 at 11:15 PM So true, Belle... words are powerful from both sides. Thank you for your affirming message and kind visit. God bless ~ John

Evelyn Judy Buehler May 1, 2022 at 9:44 PM Your brilliant sonnet gives such fine examples of 'cutting both ways,' John. I love the imagery. Best of wishes, Evelyn John Watt May 2, 2022 at 8:13 AM You 'cut right to the chase' with that comment, Evelyn! It means a lot to me that you would enjoy my writing, thank you for stopping by to read and leave behind these heartwarming words ~ John

Andrea Dietrich May 1, 2022 at 1:26 PM LOVE this one, John. An exceptional sonnet from you, my friend. John Watt May 2, 2022 at 8:12 AM Andrea, you know how I value your sonnet writing and for you to appreciate one I have written means an awful lot to me. Thank you, dear friend.

Ilene Bauer May 1, 2022 at 12:04 PM wow! bravo to you for this one, john, which really blew me away! just amazingly written with wonderful examples to support the theme. love it! John Watt May 2, 2022 at 8:11 AM ilene, you are just too kind, my friend. it warms my heart to know i can write something you would love to read... thank you

Michelle Faulkner May 1, 2022 at 11:06 AM Your wordplay here is brilliant, John, often life goes more than one way, I like the duality of beauty and danger in lakes, sun and fire, and I think the deftness of your verse avoids those cliches - is this for a contest? (by the way, I've got my clover poem up!) John Watt May 2, 2022 at 8:02 AM Duality is a theme I seem to return to often in my writing, I guess it's the way my circuits run. I was tearing apart an old, mold-infested book cabinet using a hammer and the thought struck me - isn't it ironic that this was the same tool used to construct this cabinet? Thanks for the info on your clover poem!

Gary Radice May 1, 2022 at 3:38 AM Simply superb John. There are good and bad consequences to many of life's actions. It's one thing to conjure up a brilliant idea for a poem, but it's another to write it in a way whereby the message doesn't get lost or bogged down. Your sonnet reads beautifully. I love poetry that makes me want to read it over again. Cheers - Gary John Watt May 2, 2022 at 7:58 AM Gary, what a wonderful thing to say, that you would want to read this poem again. Knowing that just makes my day ~ thank you!

Caren Krutsinger May 1, 2022 at 2:26 AM Fantastic poem that has a dynamite ending "Two-edged clichès may give the reader pause - I know firsthand the damage they can cause. " John Watt May 2, 2022 at 7:57 AM Thank you Karen, I'm always encouraged to know that my poem endings have been effective. Enjoy your Monday ~ John