Blog, Confusion

Rules of Engagement

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Rules of Engagement

Darkness lives in corners
where spiders hide undisturbed
and dust gathers secrets
protected by blankets of mystery
I stumble in confusion
Why did I not know sooner?

Climbing over discarded baggage
scattered without thought
and blocking advancement
Wishing to tear down
the emotional scaffolding
holding up your life

Unable to comprehend the
rules of engagement
I become weary from trying
and fall on my own sword
A breath, then another, realizing
I have become an impediment


Copyright © 2023 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing
All Rights Reserved

Sanaa is hosting the bar at D’Verse tonight and she has prompted us with
Line Messaging Poetry.  In her words:
“For today’s MTB challenge, I invite you all to try out this new poetic form. Be philosophical, somber or serious, show us your playful side or even better, be romantic! The choice is yours”

  17 comments for “Rules of Engagement”

  1. Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
    April 17, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    This is so very tight and strong… the image of failure in the end so particularly strong.

    • Christine Bolton
      April 17, 2023 at 5:46 pm

      Thank you Bjorn. I appreciate that very much ☺️

  2. Melissa Lemay
    April 14, 2023 at 12:01 pm

    “The emotional scaffolding holding up your life”–brilliant.

    • Christine Bolton
      April 14, 2023 at 7:51 pm

      Thank you. I really appreciate it. ☺️💕

  3. DarkerMatter
    April 14, 2023 at 8:07 am

    Thank you for this <3

    • Christine Bolton
      April 14, 2023 at 8:38 am

      Thank you for stopping by ☺️💕

  4. kim881
    April 14, 2023 at 4:26 am

    I agree about the rawness of this poem, Christine, but I was more taken by the image of someone ‘Climbing over discarded baggage / scattered without thought /and blocking advancement’, which we all do to different degrees, and some more than others. The final lines are just so sad.

    • Christine Bolton
      April 14, 2023 at 8:37 am

      Thanks Kim. Like many, I write to heal, so sometimes my poetry can be on the dark side. 😦 Next one will be sunnier I’m sure ☺️💕👍

  5. Sadje
    April 13, 2023 at 10:41 pm

    Beautifully written Christine

    • Christine Bolton
      April 14, 2023 at 8:33 am

      Thank you my friend ☺️💕

      • Sadje
        April 14, 2023 at 9:15 am

        You’re most welcome

  6. lynn__
    April 13, 2023 at 8:45 pm

    Raw but really good, Christine.

    • Christine Bolton
      April 13, 2023 at 10:48 pm

      It was a bit raw wasn’t it? Oh dear. I need t lighten uo! LOL ☺️ Thanks Lynn 💕

      • lynn__
        April 14, 2023 at 12:48 pm

        Poets delve into all the emotions!

      • Christine Bolton
        April 14, 2023 at 7:51 pm

        ☺️❤️

  7. sanaarizvi
    April 13, 2023 at 8:13 pm

    Oh my heart this is painstakingly deep and honest, Christine! The rules can be a bit hazy sometimes. Thank you so much for writing to the prompt 💖💖

    • Christine Bolton
      April 13, 2023 at 10:49 pm

      I should have practiced a little more. Some of the other poems were outstanding. Thanks for your kind words Sanaa ☺️❤️

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