The Cutting Edge

/ rothpoetry

Did you ever feel

the edge of a knife

cutting into you

as someone welcomed you

to their house?

I know that feeling

As I once again go back

to my childhood memories

Growing fast

a preadolescent young boy

I was self conscious

about this obvious growth spurt

pushing me into husky size clothes

Although sweet and smiling

when spoken

the words,

“Well, you look like your pregnant!”

Had an edge I will never forget

cutting deep into my soul

Not meant to be abusive

there was no doubt

this cutting judgmental remark

drew blood

left a scar.

I am still wary of people

who smile too much

while saying something

less than welcoming.

Pain comes in many forms

The scars stay forever

Photo: Dwight L. Roth

Today at d’Verse, Lisa asked us to consider Edges or Fringes in our poetry. Edges give an insite that goes beyond words into the life of the poet revealing what is beyond the words. I decided to use edges as the way a persons words speak beyond what they are saying.

Join us at: https://dversepoet.com then click Mr. Linkey and read more!

101 thoughts on “The Cutting Edge”

  1. Those edges absolutely cut deep and leave scars for life…..the power of ” I didn’t mean anything….just kidding” words is so vastly underestimated. As is the power of kindness and compassion and gentleness. I vote for the latter.

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  2. I can totally relate, mine were “when you’re you gonna stop growing and gain some weight.” Like I had any control over either of these issues. Yes, they hurt, being a child you can’t tell them to FO 😁

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    • At the time we just sort of soak it in. Later when we recall wheat was actually said you realize the implications. Thank you for sharing. You were lucky… some of us heard when are you going to quit eating so much!!

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  8. Dwight the photo you use is perfect for your poem. Backhanded comments are second nature to so many and they do it so casually they don’t understand how much it hurts the recipient. It takes its toll over time on the target. Thank you for your reminder to be sincere and transparent when communicating.

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  14. Ahh …., Dwight. How words like that would have hurt. I can only surmise that
    people like this woman don’t really have love and warmth in their hearts.
    What a cold life that would be.
    The comment that long stuck with me was ; aren’t you growing very tall and skinny.
    Yep, it made me feel insecure and it was delivered with these false smiles.

    The answer is not to be different, but personally I like people who dare be what they are. Let us smile happily. 🤗.

    Miriam

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  15. Words can be so cruel… even when unintended. Nicely penned! The thing that haunted me through my childhood was people thinking I was a boy… even when I had long hair. People say things and they forget them instantly and yet in the receiver they rankle and rankle. I wonder how many things I have said like that? It’s quite haunting to ponder.

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  23. The worst kind of hurt for the young and vulnerable are cutting words. So unfortunate because those hurtful words we carry forever. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

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  24. I’m so sorry, Dwight. I wish I could go back and give young Dwight a hug. Those cutting words do inflict a wound, even if the words are not meant to be hurtful. This was a powerful poem and reminder that words do matter.

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  27. That we carry such wounds from youth show how destructive mere “words” can be. Reminds me of James’s admonition about the tongue, and Jesus on what comes out of the mouth. Your poem itself a reminder to keep our “cutting edge” sheathed. Beautifully spoken.

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  30. I am sorry these words were spoken to you. It is extraordinary how certain words — negative as well as positive — can linger and linger… I agree with some of your commenters that “I was just joking” is a bogus defense. It is indeed very challenging to make sense out of “people/who smile too much/while saying something/less than welcoming…” Deep breath in. Deep breath out.

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  32. I was a pudgy child and often the butt of remarks meant in jest but cutting to the quick, some of which I will never forget. Needless to say, your poem touched me!

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  39. The poem, Dwight, is beautiful, but this post made me angry! Why do some adults think they have a right to make personal remarks to children that they would never address to adults? How cruel! For that thoughtless person, probably long gone, the remark probably had little importance, but even today it hurts the one she said it to!

    We should show respect to others, whatever their ages!

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