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Civil Discourse

Let us deport-- with skill-- Let us discourse--with care-- Powder exists in Charcoal-- Before it exists in Fire. ~ Emily Dickinson Good words anoint, ill words kill ~ Florio It's said that sticks and stones break bones    but words can serve as weapons too, so wield with caution what you write    let civil discourse have its due. A finely crafted turn of phrase    will prove more winsome than a harsh phillipic or a raging rant    that drags one's soul down like a marsh. Are not our writings most effective   when our readers wish to read our inner thoughts, instead of feeling   whipped by some ill-tempered screed? When I hear thunder's crash, I flee    from lightning's sharp, injurious ray - I hear your thunder, not your words    As though you speak a mile away. I'm not promoting caged emotions;    ire and outrage have their place, but when the missile shrieks, there's few    still left the message to embrace. Written 21 Dec 2021

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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Date: 3/13/2022 4:37:00 PM
Good empathy John well worth putting Down for us to read, great stuff to motivate To get others thinking freely )
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:22:00 PM
Thank you for the visit and encouraging comment, Joe. I encourage free thinking, as well as thoughtful, tactful, and considerate dialog.
Date: 1/28/2022 9:39:00 AM
Truthful expression using poetics to voice poetic opinion with imagery. Nicely done. I agree with Andrea' comments. Also, I find that people who use or dwell on swearing and vulgar slang when writing poetry lack depth and imagination.
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:23:00 PM
Fully agree, Dennis. Thank you for coming by and leaving your thoughtful comment.
Date: 12/29/2021 1:13:00 PM
Here is one I somehow missed. I think righteous anger has its place in poetry and writing. Just not aiming one's anger at individuals, for example, people we know in our community or using a ranting style that goes way overboard. You always write with such grace.
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:27:00 PM
I agree with your statement of righteous anger having its place in thoughtful dialog (as I mentioned in stanza five), but when someone swings a sledgehammer in a scenario where a gentle tap would suffice, I'll take the tap every time.
Date: 12/24/2021 8:16:00 AM
This should have been a POTD! John, your verse is so graceful and your message rings true, with all the upheaval lately we need to remember to respect another's viewpoint and find a way to disagree civily, as you rightly point out, isn't there a saying 'A kind word turns away wrath'
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:29:00 PM
Yes, I believe kindness and consideration are really what I'm shooting for here. Engaging in thoughtful conversation and showing mutual respect while disagreeing is a learned behavior; I say let's all start learning it! Thanks for your kind words.
Date: 12/23/2021 7:18:00 PM
Such wise words penned so eloquently in your poem, John. May “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable, Oh Lord..”. God bless you! :)
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:30:00 PM
Thank you Laura for your kind affirmation and the reminder of that wonderful Scripture. God bless you, my friend.
Date: 12/23/2021 12:21:00 PM
Fine write John, good imagery with nice rhyme and showing wide words too. Hope all is well and safe, blessings,Gordon
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:30:00 PM
Thank you for stopping by with your uplifting comment, Gordon.
Date: 12/23/2021 11:08:00 AM
WoW! John, Well said and well done. I agree, with your message my friend. Have a nice day:-) Alexis
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:31:00 PM
Thank you Alexis. Your words are always so uplifting and are a great encouragement to me.
Date: 12/22/2021 8:15:00 PM
"When I hear thunder's crash, I flee" There is a beautiful message within this simple thought. The entire poem holds so much truth. Words can either hurt or heal. That old saying comes to mind.. "Think, before you speak". The same goes for writing. Another true statement- Silence is Golden. It really is. (Speaking from experience). I have one more that I believe fits perfectly. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". Wisdom comes with age. Doing the same thing again and again, expecting a different result, it's not gonna happen. You have expressed this so beautifully. My best to you, my dear sweet friend. Hugs, Brandy
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:31:00 PM
I agree with all you say, Brandy. Thank you for being a blessing of wisdom and kindness.
Date: 12/22/2021 7:45:00 PM
Wonderful message! I enjoyed reading! Happy holidays! - Nathasha
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John Watt
Date: 3/13/2022 9:32:00 PM
Thank you, Nathasha. It was good to hear from you again.
Date: 12/21/2021 2:17:00 PM
We are in the realm of Art! In the world of words! In the presence of Artists! In the den of poets! In the sensitivity of beautiful souls and sensibility of the wise! How fine and elevated is your poetry, John! How lofty is your message! Thank you so much for adding a lot of Beauty into our world of poetry and for sharing such a gem! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! My deepest regards and blessings.
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Date: 12/21/2021 12:25:00 PM
beautifully expressed, john!
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Date: 12/21/2021 9:48:00 AM
You could not have expressed this more beautifully John. I so agree. Poetry should be about everything but personal attacks. That is the beauty of the art. Blessings and Mele Kalikimaka my friend. xxoo
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Date: 12/21/2021 8:34:00 AM
"I HEAR YOUR THUNDER, NOT YOUR WORDS"...brilliant....
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Date: 12/21/2021 5:39:00 AM
So right you are...Great write, John. Merry Christmas to you and yours. And Also, wishing you a very Happy Birthday young man!!
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Date: 12/21/2021 2:06:00 AM
Great message in your verse John, a very happy Christmas to you and your family. Tom
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Date: 12/21/2021 1:15:00 AM
You are a sage that more poets should heed. John, you have the voice of reason, and everyone needs to be more reasonable.
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Date: 12/21/2021 12:18:00 AM
cant agree more John:-) hugs Jan xx
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Date: 12/21/2021 12:14:00 AM
Very well said!
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