Sunday, September 6, 2020

Patience Is a Defense Mechanism

I practice patience
in self-defense, protection
against burning all
the world’s bridges
while standing on the wrong side
of the forest that grows
hope on trees;

patience is what keeps
feet and wit from fleeing
at the sight of a lion draped around a tree,
without ever wondering if

wild beasts are in the way, never letting me
move forward—reach a leaf of hope—
or if lions only climb trees to escape the heat.     

via

the wee notes…

- in the wise (and creatively spelled) words of Granny Weatherwax, “I Ate’nt Dead”. I’ve just had a gazillion appointments. Mostly follow ups and a wee surgery here and there. So, yeah… the red funeral clothes you ordered are a bit premature 😜

- after seeing the photo of a lion on a tree, when I was very young, I was convinced the majestic beast was waiting to jump on its prey. Then I heard somewhere—The Animal Planet, I think—that lions climb trees to escape bugs and the savanna heat. Yeah, I was disappointed too *cough*
- linked to Poets and Storytellers United (Writers’ Pantry #36: Change of Season), The Sunday Muse #124, and Kerry O’Connor’s Skylover Word List

51 comments:

  1. Love this Magaly! Patience is something there is not enough of in this world. Hope is always there if we have the patience and determination to reach for it. I also love your added info about Lions. They are such magnificent creatures and like you, I assumed their goal in climbing a tree was different. 😊

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  2. I'm afraid I didn't even know they climbed trees, or why. I enjoyed your words. Magaly ... I always do!

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    1. It's good to know that I wasn't the only one surprised by the bit of trivia.

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  3. Red funeral clothes? Wow! That would wake up the mourners for sure. So would a lion on the way to the funeral. Those bereaved-people-to-be better have a lot of patience, don't you think? :)

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    1. If people are going to celebrate my life, they might as well wear my favorite color. ❤️

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    2. Now I'm chuckling at the idea of a lion on a the way to a funeral.

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  4. Patiently waiting out the bugs and the heat. I can relate.

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    Replies
    1. Fall is coming. So you might not have to relate for long.

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  5. Perfect poem for the photo. Especially like the first paragraph. Thanks for visiting me so I could come visit and meet you. ~hugs~ and have a great week.

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  6. Luv your motifs of hope, patience, and perception so nicely woven.
    Happy you dropped by my sumie Sunday today

    Much💝love

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  7. I think we'd all be better off if we seriously considered patience as defense mechanism. It certainly would have saved me from the consequences of my sometimes over-sharp tongue. There are things out there much more trying than bugs and heat.

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  8. I've had that exact dream but I don't remember what happens. I especially like your first stanza about burning the world's bridges while standing on the wrong side of the forest that grows hope on trees. Money might not grow on trees but hope does.

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  9. Patience is so very difficult sometimes, but it is the mark of an Adult.

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  10. ...or to escape the madness on the ground. Well written Magaly

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  11. Patience is hard to get sometimes. I do believe the lion will eventually leave (some are moaning that the lion might not leave) so that we can climb up to see the damage he has done while sitting in the throne at the crotch of the tree. Way too much we can see from our lowly ground.
    ..

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  12. Nothing can top knowing you are ok ... not even a stellar poem.

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  13. Wonderful explication of the benefits of true patience, MG. Well done.

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  14. I've heard that lions fly up into the trees. They don't want you to know.

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  15. Loved this My favourite line "burning all
    the world’s bridges
    while standing on the wrong side
    of the forest that grows
    hope on trees"

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  16. A brilliant poem, Magaly! Keeping your head and being patient are protective magic that only certain people can master. I like the way you describe it in the lines:
    ‘…protection
    against burning all
    the world’s bridges
    while standing on the wrong side
    of the forest that grows
    hope on trees’.

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    1. May we always find the strength to master protective magic when we need it most.

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  17. I love Granny Weatherwax. (But you knew that, I'm sure.) I also love the idea of patience as self-defence ... and the lion.

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  18. i think patience is indeed a defence mechanism. it partners time for the healing to work.
    i didn't know lions can climb trees. only small kitties. :)

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    1. Maybe the climbing lions are big cats that stay forever young.

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  19. Very deep piece...beautifully evocative of the feelings of uncertainty we are all suffering XXX

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  20. The power of patience is brilliantly demonstrated in the first four lines of your beautiful poem. I like the idea of patience being a defense mechanism, more especially in these trying times.

    I must say, the king of the jungle looks content high up the tree. It must be well fed. :)

    It's also good to hear you're doing well, Maga. Stay safe!

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    1. I'm right there with you. Patience is an armor these days.

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  21. "on the wrong side
    of the forest that grows
    hope on trees" - great.

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  22. That first stanza is wonderful, Magaly. I hope you are feeling well.

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  23. Yeah that burning all the world's bridges is so tempting at times..needs a ton and a half of patience to let the feeling pass!!

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  24. It is always a delight to read your work Magaly.

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  25. I find the more patient you are, the more faster things come! Big Hugs!

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