A to Z Poetry: Knots

Knotted Roots - Courtesy of Reannadale

Knots

We tie ourselves in knots

from the silly to the fraught.

How dare he! How dare she!

Is it all for naught?

He said, she said, they said.

Does it really matter when blood is shed?

They divide and sway and are blind to the truth.

We sing, they yell, we cry, they take up the call,

Then use it as an excuse to get rid of the uncouth.

Frayed nerves and shattered limbs,

gray hairs and lights are dimmed.

Scattered among are those with just causes.

Fearful of those who don't obey laws

and tangled up believers whose thinking has flaws.

We are raw, they are to blame.

We are free, they have no shame.

His story, her story, which one is right?

There is so much wrong when they think with might.

They mash, they wail, they flee out of sight.

They distract, they dissemble

They argue semantics and fail to assemble.

They break apart words and leads people to tremble.

and causes nothing except breakdown of symbols.

They think to hide it away.

But no matter what you say,

While reason is rephrased and displaced,

We'll never forget upon which our stories are based. 

My truth, your truth, their truth

Will never be the same

If they work hard to defame and 

all go down in flames. 

. 

We tie ourselves in knots

from the silly to the fraught.

How dare he! How dare she!

Is it all for naught?

~R.L. McCormack~