Sunday’s Whirligig: Wordle #62
http://sundayswhirligig.blogspot.com/
glances, hazel, cheek, pouts, small, spirit,
limp, months, letting, softens, tight, scar
The Sunday Whirl: Wordle #254
https://sundaywhirl.wordpress.com/
food, cover, lost, howling, rear, draw,
move, break, less, split, maps, still
Poets United: Poetry Pantry #305
http://poetryblogroll.blogspot.com/
Rear View Mirror
When spirit glances into past, might
go limp from all that has been lost.
Hazel eyes might want to draw cover
over scars that make lips pout for months.
But howling rage will only break the
spirit even more.
They say that time will heal, soften wounds,
still, or lessen the hurt, but who knows how
long that movement of minutes might take?
We could learn to see the scars as maps
that mark passages through life, tight places
we have faced, and lived. Letting them become
small flags of honor, bits of food that nurture
our story, splitting us free from the ordinary
and normal. Allowing us our own distinct brand
of individual uniqueness.
Elizabeth Crawford 6/5/16
Notes: At first the words just stayed on the page, refused to engage in any movement. Decided to go with spirit, and the rest of the words seem to agree. I used all of them except cheek.
Image is a digital painting someone sent to me. I’ve always liked it. It makes me think of star mapping, finding the image by connecting the dots.
Soul's Music 
see the scars as maps
that mark passages through life… so true, both a source of strength and the surety of never turning back.
LikeLike
“But howling rage will only break the / spirit even more.” yeah the break is fully done by that …i specially like the images of markers of our unique story…beautiful….
LikeLike
Do we see our scars in the rear view mirror with a sense of rage or kindness towards ourselves…scars get thicker with time – they don’t heal – and yet if we touch them..smooth them out maybe our expectation changes..they won’t disappear but as you say but maybe we can see them as evidence of where we have been and who we have been and are – a peaceful Sunday to you xo
LikeLike
Each of us will grieve in our own way as there are no rules. Sometimes we can take a loved one with us on our own journey which is a comfort; at other times we realize that our own life must still be lived but with lasting loving memories. Well this is what I do.
LikeLike
If we could but see the scars like this, instead of trying to stretch and smooth it all… love how you describe them as maps…
LikeLike
Mapping and Rage might not be mutually exclusive. As long as the scars are not hidden, they might be sung like a musical score, one that may always hurt/howl a little.
LikeLike
Indeed scars are maps that mark our ‘progress’ through life. I would hope that, with time, all the things that make one rage would fade – not unlike what happens with scars, which remain yet not very visible. I agree with the premise of making them becoming small flags of honor…as everything that happened to a person in life should be…as each incident has brought one to the point one is today…and that is to be celebrated.
LikeLike
I like the idea of the scars as maps and ‘small flags of honor’.
LikeLike
They say that time will heal, soften wounds,
still, or lessen the hurt, but who knows how
long that movement of minutes might take?
Sigh… I am still swimming in the wisdom of these lines..!
Powerfully expressed.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
LikeLike
I agree. It’s good to know that time supposedly heals all wounds, but rarely does anyone explain just how much time is needed… or the size of the scars the healing will leave behind.
LikeLike
A wonderful write…and I see now, what to do with “rear.”
LikeLike
The whole last stanza was fabulous…our scars are like a map that shows we we have come from, and where we might be going….really perfection Elizabeth! I am always in awe and how you craft these works of art from word lists…I must take up the challenge one of these days.
LikeLike
I love the life wisdom in this poem, looking at the hard places we have been as spots on the map that deepened us. Wow, I love this one, kiddo! Am looking forward to tomorrow!
LikeLike
“We could learn to see the scars as maps” — YES. Perhaps leading our way home…
LikeLike
“Might go limp with all that has been lost.” This line struck deep, and grabbed me. Those thoughts of lost things, lost memories, and how easily they can just slip away… Truly beautiful.
LikeLike
You certainly set yourself a task by combining the two lists to create something meaningful and thought-provoking.
I love your footnote image of the words sitting sulkily until you got the right launch!
LikeLike
I see my scars as milestones, some in wonderful places, others where I never intend returning to. I have quite a few of each!, Your piece really got me thinking, both back and forward. Brilliantly done.
Visit Keith’s Ramblings
LikeLike
Elizabeth, this is timely for me. Funny how the universe works. Great piece.
Love,
Pamela ox
LikeLike
I like how the word ‘spirit’ made everything flow. I love how you speak of time, scars and individuality. This is a lovely poem. I enjoyed it so much!
LikeLike