Poets United asked for poems regarding “this time of year,” the regrets, the emotions that run high. In my case, so many bridges have been burned at the holidays… tempers in my circles flare, often to the detriment of even long-term relationships. And so I offer this poem. Peace, Amy
Repairers of the Breach
When all is said and done and
undone, then soddered together once more,
the saddest truth is this:
You’ll never go back in time.
No mulligans on misspeaking,
no second tries on bitter partings.
Bridges burned are seldom rebuilt,
the breach often irreparable, final…
or so it seems.
So strive to remember that God gave us
two ears and one mouth – a ratio
reflecting God’s common sense.
Listen for the resonant truth with respect;
forgive other folks’ harmless blather,
unless it is prejudiced and hateful.
(Sometimes you must walk away from hatred,
homophobia, racism and such, for reasons
of conscience in the face of recalcitrant bigots.)
Try to leave the bridge burning to others.
If the bridge be burnt, let it be for the right reason.
Live in love, as repairers of the breach.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Posted at my poetic oasis, Poets United. Proud to be a member!
Sharp Little Pencil 
Roger Green
I’ll be curious what you think of my blogpost tomorrow. I’m fairly confident they don’t read my blog. Still, it’s ungenerous. On the other hand, stifling was giving me agita.
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, now that I’ve read it, I get it. Y’all should take a look at http://www.rogerogreen.com and his post, “The Naked Communist.” Since we all have families of varied opinions, I think it will strike a chord. Also, food for thought regarding the direction of our country and, as always, my verbose comments! Oy, I should have a portable soapbox, sorry, Roger! Peace and bread for the world, Amy
Daydreamertoo
Sometimes if bridges aren’t left burned for too long we can try to make repairs but, it’s usually not possible if there’s been too many bad things said and left to fester and some we can mend.
Lovely sentiments.
Thank you so much for the comment earlier, I went there and heard your voice, reading one of your poems. Very nice. I’ve thought of putting one of mine on Soundcloud and see how it went over. Not done it yest though. Several of the blogs I read place their work on there, I must say, it does sound good to hear their emphasis and accent on words rather than just reading too. It makes the context that they are trying to convey all more easily understood.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, DD. RE: Comments, I always try to leave breadcrumbs, links, and other things to keep our connections strong. I have not heard of Soundcloud, but since Buddah is a dear friend and an amazing poet, I will stick with virtualpoetryreading.com… you can also record your poems digitally and email them to him for inclusion if it’s a matter of sound quality. I’ve done a few of those there as well… thanks a lot, and peace, Amy
Laurie Kolp
Wise words indeed. This is such a trying time of the year when it’s only supposed to be about love.
Sharp Little Pencil
Laurie, it IS supposed to be about love – all year, but especially this month and last month, for Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan, and the Solstice, among other celebrations. Unfortunately, the Boob Tube has brainwashed folks into thinking it’s about the Mall. It’s not Santa’s birthday, right? Peace, Amy
Morning
deep, have a lovely weekend.
Sharp Little Pencil
Morning, thanks so much for visiting my blog and for the kind words. I will come check out your work now! Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
Awesome, and I especially love the last two lines……….good one, Amy.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Sherry. Forgiveness, pride, the inability to get past what’s said… it all makes for sadness.
Judith C Evans
I love “a ratio reflecting God’s common sense.” This poem refers to one of my favorite images in the Bible — repairers of the breach. Very nice!
Sharp Little Pencil
My husband is a pastor, and he has preached on that several times. I also love that phrase! Thanks so much, Judith, and peace, Amy
Debbie
Thanks Amy, for showing us about those bridges and that there can be a way, even if it means walking away. God bless you!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Debbie. Yes, it is hard to walk away, but sometimes it’s best for all concerned. Blessings to you and yours, Amy
John Greenwood
You will get no constructive critique or dissenting opinion today. Your poem is the perfect holiday gift.
Sharp Little Pencil
Aw, c’mon, John, you got nothin’ for me? Ha ha. Sincerely, thank you for a lovely comment and for visiting again. Headed your way now! Peace, Amy
brian
smiles. if we all just listened a bit more i think the world would be a much better place…and yeah those burned bridges often lead to regret…
Sharp Little Pencil
Definitely, Brian, and yet there was at least one I burned that helped me survive, with zero regret. You are right: listening is becoming a lost art. I used to have “silent days,” kind of like retreat without the retreat center, simply listening in cafes, on the streets, in the woods. Sometimes I was lucky enough to find someone who only WANTED a listener, and we’d usually end up crying and hugging… peace, Amy
vivinfrance
The poem epitomises your habitual “peace” sign-off.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Viv. And yes, peace, Amy
thefisherlady
very true…our tongues really can give life or crush it…
I love this passage about how we should behave…
2 Corinthians 13:11
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11Finally, brethren, farewell (rejoice)! Be strengthened (perfected, completed, made what you ought to be); be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be of the same [agreeable] mind one with another; live in peace, and [then] the God of love [Who is the Source of affection, goodwill, love, and benevolence toward men] and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you.
Thank you for being a peacemaker… it is sometimes better to walk away and
sometimes a hug instead of words brings healing to a situation
Sharp Little Pencil
There were years before my diagnosis with manic depression as well as my experiences with God that caused me to burn bridges. Now that there is more peace and mindfulness in my life, those flashes of anger don’t lead me astray. Thank God for psychiatrists who know their craft. You know what I mean? God created us all, and some doctors have been sooooo helpful. And now, I try to be a peacemaker whenever possible. Thanks so much, FisherLady! Peace, Amy
Penny
Spectacularly apt reminder of what is truly important Amy – resonates with me on so many levels! Thank you for your visit and help in finding my way. penny x
Sharp Little Pencil
Penny, the feeling is mutual. I always pay a visit to those who leave comments on my blog. I appreciate your words very much. Peace, Amy
MiskMask
My very wise old friend. xx
Sharp Little Pencil
You mean your very old wise friend!! Love you, Marilyn, Amy
David King
Definitely the most unusual response to the prompt that I’ve read so far, but for me it ticks all the boxes and has depth enough to offer more on rereading.
Sharp Little Pencil
David, thanks for this thoughtful reply. So glad you were intrigued enough to read it twice – the ultimate compliment. Peace, Amy
Eileen T O'Neill
Amy,
Words which make such sense and which capture the many life experiences, which one may feel cannot be repaired. Your prayerful poem gives hope.
Eileen
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Eileen, for catching the intention of the spiritual aspects. We all have regrets – some bridges are repairable, others are not. But hope is the key, right? Peace, Amy
Tino
Sadly, some relationships cannot be repaired, especially the ones that are deed based rather than word based. A very poignant piece for the time of year.
Sharp Little Pencil
Tino, I very much appreciate your distinction between deed- and word-based disagreements. Yes, the actions have much more weight. Great original thought on this poem, thanks so much! Amy
Old Ollie
Yes – too many people fall into the trap of hatred. Too often we appoint ourselves Judge, yet lack the wisdom and the love to serve this role.
Strong piece – strong poem. Thanks.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ollie, I’ve often been guilty of judgmental behavior which led to fallings-out that became permanent. I wrote this as much as a penance as anything else, I think! Peace, and nice to hear from you, Amy
Old Raven
I have not seen you in a while … it is good to see you again. I like your poem. It is thoughtful.
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad to see you, Raven! Thank you for your kind words. I’m going to stop by your blog now! Amy
Mary
You are right on with this one. Better to build up than to tear down. I believe in ‘live and let live’ for the most part…..and yes, it is HARD to repair a bridge.
Sharp Little Pencil
You’re right, Mary. Even harder to rebuild one that’s completely burned, but I did that once and was so much better for the effort. And there was one that stayed burnt, and that was good for my mental health… thanks, and peace, Amy
Dana
i really enjoyed the bit about “a ratio reflecting God’s sense.” what a unique way to express that! xo
Sharp Little Pencil
Dana, thanks for stopping by! Yes, I used to tell my daughter, “God gave us all two ears and one mouth for a reason!” So glad I could work it into this poem. Thanks for the comment, and now I’m going to check your blog! Peace, Amy
Carrie Burt
Amy so much truth in your words here….beautiful for the prompt!! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you, Carrie. It seemed a bit of a stretch, but that was in my heart on that day, so there you go! Peace, Amy
Tilly Bud
God gave us
two ears and one mouth – a ratio
reflecting God’s common sense.
Amy, this is perfect! I love it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Linda. Yeah, it’s math I can live with, for sure! A
Madeleine Begun Kane
What a wonderful, powerful poem with an excellent message.!
And thanks for sharing your similar accident anecdote on my blog!
Sharp Little Pencil
Mad, where would I be without you, Tilly, RJ, Viv, and all the others who make me laugh? Thanks for the kind words… peace, Amy
Ella
Amy,
I loved it, i love bridge as a metaphor~ It was so real and fragile!
So glad you joined in and shared this unique view with us~ Well Done
Sharp Little Pencil
Ella, many thanks for your comments. I appreciate it. So many folks identified with this, it’s very gratifying. Peace, Amy
Lindy Lee
Wise advice from a gifted poet…
Sharp Little Pencil
Lindy, thanks so much for this. I am amazed at how much of my blog you are reading and consider myself lucky! Peace, Amy