I Really Hate the “C” Word
The Impetus for this Poem
I would normally begin by stating my inspiration for a piece of poetry, but in the case of “I Really Hate the “C” Word, I can’t. Instead, I will say “my impetus” was some recent debate and conflict regarding the direction and management of this website. Members will know what I am referring to. Anyway, I hope that is all behind us and leads to The Creative Exiles becoming a stronger and better place to write.
by John Hansen © 2016
I really hate the “C” word,
It’s horrible and crude.
Avoiding it is what I try,
Although I am no prude.
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It sometimes sneaks up on us
As an unexpected foe.
“Conflict” is the word I loath
In case, you didn’t know.
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Almost everywhere you look,
At work and in the home,
On TV and the Internet,
Mozilla and on Chrome.
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On Facebook it’s abundant,
HubPages’ forums spew,
Twitter’s also rife with it,
The Creative Exiles too.
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Why can’t people get along?
It’s really not that hard.
Some won’t even give an inch,
Let alone a yard.
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We all have our opinions
On everything in life,
But we need to find a middle ground,
Not deliberately seek strife.
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Debate they say is healthy,
But it oft’ gets out of hand.
Against harassment and abuse
We have to take a stand.
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Let’s abolish “conflict”,
Make the world a nicer place.
Arguments and war be gone,
Disappear without a trace.
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I really hate the “C” word,
I said it all before.
Conflict I can do without,
I find it such a bore.
Now I find myself branching out and experimenting with short fiction, and thoroughly enjoying this, especially flash fiction.
I have been fortunate to have two poems made into songs and recorded. The first "On the Road to Kingdom Come" by Al Wordlaw, and the second, "If I Could Write a Love Poem" by award-winning Israeli/British singer Tally Koren.
My services increasingly in demand as a freelance writer and I have ghost-written the text for a number of children's books and educational tutorials.
It has taken me many years of searching and restlessness to realise that my life's passion is to write. It saddens me that I wasted so many years not devoting to that, but thinking positively, the experiences gained over those years are now wonderful material for my stories and poems.
I want to try to bring a new focus on poetry and try to make it appealing to a new generation of young people and those who thought they never liked or understood it before.
- The First Word – A Flash Fiction Story - January 18, 2024
- Dawns Song ~ and Twilight Serenade - December 1, 2023
- Weave Me a Story - June 15, 2023
Very well stated, John. I hate it, too. When one cannot comment on something without being pounced on, contradicted, pushed to frustration, attacked or unfairly criticized, it makes for a very poor atmosphere. I have faith that The Creative Exiles can rise above this kind of negative interaction. As for the flow and rhyme of the poem, it is very smooth and easy to read.
John, it’s hard to disagree with those good words, but it is not so easy to live by them. Thanks for the encouraging poem.
John, no doubt the cursed word is the “C”word and I too agree, your frustration is felt throughout, is something I clearly see. I too hope we as creators of mixed rhymes and verse can disperse of it, and as Phyllis penned “rise above this kind of negative interaction” However, are you sending a message by clumping us with the other social media sites by adding “The Creative Exiles too”? I sense your disappointment.
Thanks for reading and your comment, Vincent. I was torn whether to mention “The Creative Exiles” in the poem..perhaps it was a mistake, but why beat about the bush?
Great poem Jodah, sometimes it’s best to just tell-it-like-it-is.
Applause for a most creative poem that surely speaks the truth.
Thank you Rasma.
Well said John and I so agree, such spite emerges from such simple and needless arguments. I hate it also and so glad it has calmed. Nothing is every gained from verbal abuse or spite, and none of us need it in such a creative site. Our creativity, should carve a way to resolution, not conflict. Excellent work John.
Thank you for your support and for reading this, Tony. Much appreciated.
Well said, John. I’m glad it’s over.
Me too, William. Thanks.
Speaking of conflict at FB I am just beginning to get into it, lol and I would have never believed it. I use to show up once a week at most but when you guys got me there I was showing up more than once a day and I sort of got to reading and got involved in politics! Be glad when it is over. I do not like conflict either but I am bad to stand my ground, I guess.
Hard to believe how fast you are growing here although I am sure it is nothing compared to what it will be even by Christmas!
Yes, Jackie it is hard to avoid conflict on Facebook and the like especially in regard to politics and religion. I am astonished by how popular the site is and how it is growing. Thanks for reading.