Like a volcano, hatred leaves nothing but destruction in its path. In my humble opinion, this sometimes ferocious emotion is absolutely useless. There is such a thing as "righteous anger," but I think most times, hatred comes from fear of other people - their race, their religion, their culture, and their belief systems. The result can be violence, destruction, and even war. I must admit to having feelings of hatred towards others at some times in my life due to some wrong I feel they have done to me. However, I'm glad I'm mature enough to realize that I have to leave it alone, let go, and move forward. If I don't, I'm the one who will suffer, not the person who caused the feeling in me to start with. Here's my poem about hatred.HATRED
Hatred is firey orange and malevolent black.
It looks like dynamite for destruction.
It sounds like a volcano in the process of eruption.
It smells like rubber tires on a hot highway.
It tastes like peppers mixed with butts in an ashtray.
It feels like razor blades and hand grenades exploding on a roadway.
Hatred is a soul on fire and wanting to attack.
I am so happy to be a part of this ABC Wednesday team and honestly am grateful for Denise Nesbitt creating and hosting it. I had thought of doing a poem on something more positive, like "honesty," "happiness," or "humour," but I decided to shake things up a bit. Think about it...have you ever been on the receiving end of hatred? Have you ever felt hatred towards someone else? How does it feel to you?
29 comments:
Well, if you're right, I'm finished with it for good. "It tastes like peppers mixed with butts in an ashtray" is enough to make me a lover, not a fighter.
I remember feeling negative emotions like that, but I don't want to repeat them. They hurt me, and have no effect on the people at whom they're aimed.
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
You're so right, Kay. I always used to tell my kids "Do you think they're home worrying about what they said to you? NOPE! Move on..."
Oh, I've received hatred, over age, race, size - you name it. It is, among other things, damn exhausting.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
I think hatred is a gut-instinct emotion sometimes, but when things calm down, we realize how destructive hatred is ~~ not to the receiver, but to the person who feels the hatred. The opposite end of the spectrum ~~ forgiveness ~~ is such a relief. Thankfully hatred and anger are two emotions that are easily dispensed with. It's too difficult to hang onto them, and life is too short to even bother trying.
Yes, Josie. Absolutely hatred and anger is just too exhausting to be bothered with. It's hard to do, but necessary to just let it go, no matter what. One has to think of #1 and in any case #1 is ME!
That's a very powerful poem, Leslie.
I like your poems a lot. Hatred can be dehabilitating to both the hater and the hated.
Wow, what mental pictures you elicit with your words.
The sentence about peppers and butts in the ashtray is absolutely A++++.
Sometimes its hard to move on but hatred is too debilitating and exhausting to wallow in it.
Very powerful poem. Fight negative feelings...
H is for...
You have quite a way with words and the images you created are very strong.
Hate can be very destructive, however, it is best to hate the wrong conduct or whatever, and not hate the person.
I don't want hatred in my life. Nothing will come out good in this tiny one word. I have people that I do not like but not to the point of hating them. ^_^ Happy Tuesday!
ABC Wed.
Timely poem - mirrors some of my feelings today. Well written.
Hatred is just too exhausting. The best way to combat hatred is to throw love at it.
Jane x
I've felt the receiving end of hatred but have never felt that way about another human.
Don't think it's in me.
I agree with you completely. If you will let the hatred reigns with you all the time, it's you who suffers the most and not the people you are angry with.
Powerful poem for a powerful word.
I loved your comments on my blog and I answered your excellent question on my blog. That said, I will include it here in case you don't have time to come back to my blog this week (although if you have further comments I'd love to hear them!).
LESLIE: You ask a really important question about what to do with parents who don't want homework assigned because they want their kids to have family time:
First, I would note that the school day is so short, homework is needed to integrate and reinforce concepts learned in class.
Then, I would brainstorm with the parent for ways to integrate homework into quality family time. Parents and kids could work together; kids could "teach" the parents what the homework was about; parents could be asked to submit comments at the end of the homework...to name a few off the top of my head.
Between us, however, there might be something else going on and as a concerned teacher I might want to look into it. I don't see any family needing to be doing 'activities' together the whole afternoon and evening after school. There is more here than just wanting 'quality time'.
Still - great question!
Thanks again,
Meryl
Powerful words and poem! You are so right...
Wow-a very powerful poem full of truth. Really great-metaphors? Is that the right word? On edge, asking a school teacher!
Hatred is consuming all positive feelings. There is no place for happiness if you harbour hatred. It inspires us to take , revenge. I read once about sweet revenge, but that is a contradiction: revenge is never sweet, always bitter.
Thanks Leslie, for this wise post. You are absolutely right.
Hatred, anger and revenge are all legitimate human emotions. They contribute to our knowledge of right and wrong. It's what we do with them and how we handle them that matters. God displays all three. If He didn't, who would choose what is right and what is wrong? Some lines in the sand need to be drawn and some frame of reference is needed for those lines. If we back off, what horrific actions will be left to destroy human beings? As human beings our greatest problem is agreeing on which frame of reference. Who makes the rules? My God is Love, Forgiveness, and Righteousness. I'm so glad. I wouldn't want to trust this world to anyone else.
I never experienced hatred, fortunately !! Dislike yes, but that is normal, you can't like everybody.
The last line of your poem says so much about an emotion that takes so much energy and the advice to MOVE ON
is the very best way to go.
Well, I understand about 'righteous anger' but that is usually directed at the deed, not the person. They are both exhausting emotions that have no place in a life seeking serenity.
Hatred is a terrible feeling and definitely destroys the person who feels the hatred even more than it hurts the person who is hated.
a friend complained that she rented her apt to another friend, who not only left it dirty but turned around and said the apt was dirty in the first place. You can sense the volcano erupting. Death of a friendship.
This may be the most powerful of your poem for this round of ABC yet, Leslie. You hooked me on all the senses. No, I don't think I've felt or been on the receiving end of hatred. Anger, dislike, frustration, envy, yes, but not hate. I try not to use the word, as I also use the word love selectively, when I really mean it.
I can't think of much worse than peppers and cigarette butts! I don't think I've ever hated anyone and I don't think anyone has ever hated me (except for my children on various occasions!)
So you're right....leave the hatred at the door! :)
Hello, Leslie.
I am sue from Korea. Thanksgiving Day is coming soon here!
I am so happy when I read your blog :)
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