It only takes one sharp red criticism (from my own mouth or another) to cut down the fragile tree of self-esteem like an axe. Then I’m the sad silver squirrel nibbling whatever splintered false compliment scraps you toss my way to bandage the cracks.
***
Written for The Sunday Muse, RDP, Poetic Bloomings, Living Poetry, and dVerse
***
*Yeah, I know that this poem is basically the same as this other one, and that this blog is getting awfully repetitive. I’m sorry. I’ve just been in something of a one-track mindset lately.
Jewish Young Professional 
I love that!! 😮
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Thanks!
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I like your poem; and I like you!
-David
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Aw thanks! You’re pretty cool yourself
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Superb, really……
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Thank you ☺️
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It’s sad how we deny ourselves the love and respect we deserve and then seek the same or the equivalent validation from others. Can feel your lovely words. 🙂
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It is a good point. The self needs this like food. Then we starve ourselves and try to beg from others
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JYP, Look in the mirror. The person looking back is perfection multiplied. And when you look, open your eyes please (literally and metaphorically speaking) You are loved. Shine bright. Even the moon sees your perfection. I wish you miracles.
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🥰
This is so lovely and unexpected that I don’t quite know how to respond. Thank you for your beautiful words and sentiment Selma
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It really takes a lot to prevent your pillar of self esteem from shattering!
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It really does. These are not very robust trees and the words are heavy and sharp
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Ah you’re right!
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Wonderful, poignant poem. Caustic, sardonic criticism cuts deeply leaving wounds that may never heal.
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Yep. Well said. The stumps are scarred
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Oh so very true. Our self-esteem is so fragile, have suffered so many blows it seems like a skeleton of its past.
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There is something very sad and sobering about the image of a forest of skeletal tree trunks of self-esteem that have been cut down from too many blows
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Exactly! Yet if we look closely there will some blades of grass, some ivy just appearing from the ground below to cover the trees in their green protective cloak.
Perhaps that cloak is a reminder of the strength we always had hidden from plain sight.
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Perhaps also a reminder to grow your own ivy cloak / help grow someone else’s ivy cloak?
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Oh absolutely! That will make the forest greener and brighter again.
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Oh, boy. This is right on.
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I am not sure how I feel about the fact that this is so relatable
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I love your work, by the way. I read you all the time but just don’t often comment.
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Thank you. But more importantly, thank you for coming out of the woodwork! Writing a public blog can be such an odd experience in that you put your thoughts out there, and then have no idea who read them. It’s really nice to hear from you.
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Point well taken, and well presented!
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Thanks
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Wonderful poem and I love the images of your metaphor. Ground your roots and exercise your trunk and limbs. Leaf out in new directions and tree-t yourself better because you deserve it.
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Thank you for the tree puns. I appreciate this. I feel like I should be leaf-ing you with some a-corny puns too
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LOL. Very approptree-ate response.
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🤣
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I won’t even dream of throwing a false compliment scrap your way ( it takes time to type a comment, you know!) because why should I lie to you. I lie only to save face. Since you haven’t seen me…you get the drift…
I like your writing, repetition, bandage et al.
Keep writing and tell the critical you to take a hike! 😉
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I really appreciate this. I also feel that I owe you an apology for even suggesting that “you” as the reader of the poem would even consider taking the time and effort to lie. Thank you for this.
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JYP, I was only trying to lighten your mood! When one shares something publicly one does expect some response. Please don’t take my comment otherwise. I love engaging with the writer if a post speaks to me. Take care. ❤️
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I know, and I know what you meant. And you did. lighten the mood 😊 You also brought up a very good point about not assuming such things about one’s readers.
Sorry, certain things don’t always translate well over blog comments. It’s the best means of communication we have, but it isn’t perfect!
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It may not be perfect, but it will do till we device a better way! 😊
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I am almost 77 and fully appreciate getting older is about losses. I could not function as well as I should if I were to return to the job I retired from eight years ago. If I actually live into my 90s, I will get progressively less physically attractive. There is no telling which relatives, friends, etc. I will lose if I reach my 10th decade. By drawing close to our Maker and learning to appreciate His love, I am more resilient in the face of loss, whatever I may lose. I am trying to move spiritually towards the following: It’s not about me, but about Him and others.
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Interesting to hear your perspective. I’m in my 30s and I do feel that the older folks have a sense of perspective that comes from having lived more decades.
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Your poem is full of truth of the heart. It does not take much to cut down our self esteem. Wonderful metaphor here!!
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Yep. Sadly, it just takes one well-placed blow.
Thank you for providing the image for inspiration! How can one ignore the image of a bright red axe?
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I feel this one. It doesn’t take much to shatter the self-esteem.
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It really doesn’t. The trees are britlle and fragile; the critical words are unfortunately quite effective.
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So true.
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I know the feeling…… and some days I feel like it’s only a band-aid needed.
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Well, somedays that what’s needed to start the healing process.
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Your one track mind is quite lovely and chock full of talent!
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Thank you! I am glad this blog is not just sounding needlessly repetitive and that some talent and craft is coming across!
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Loving the beautiful, swelling lines with their vibrant color and emotion!
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Thank you! Yeah, I feel for the little squirrel.
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Friedrich Nietzsche must have been feeling the same about external voices, when he fought back with “The higher we soar the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.”
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Hmm, interesting. Thanks for sharing
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Glad you found that image I stumbled across inspiring!
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It was the perfect note to end on! Thank you for the inspiration!
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A wonderful response to the image. Fantastic!
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Thank you!
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a terrific, succinct Extended Metaphor poem —
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thank you!
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A very effective analogy. It really is a lesson of life to be aware of those critical words to each other and ourselves.
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Indeed. The words can be effective tools and weapons
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“Then I’m the sad silver squirrel” – LOL! Great image.
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Thanks – I feel for that little squirrel 🐿️
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For sure!
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