Sunday, June 19, 2016

BIG BAD WOLF


image source


I've been afraid of the Big Bad Wolf
Who huffs and puffs to blow my house down.
It's built for shelter, for protection
From the blow of bad intentioned wind.
The Big Wolf knows I fear 
that the structure of my house
is not as fortified as it appears.
Because though it's made of brick 
there's a chimney, he slides in
hurts me 'til he sees my tears.

But recently I discovered
he has a weakness too.
When I open my door,
Invite him in, show him my house,
No less, no more
his shoulders droop, 
his softened wind barely blows 
a little hoot.

The moral of this story is,
(In case you haven't guessed)
That big bad wolves thrive
On a fear we all possess.
We close our doors tight,
So no wolves will see
We're all a little ashamed
That our house 
is a bit of a mess.

So let us be brave,
open our doors
Let us be honest with him.
None of us is perfect, 
Or perfectly strong,
Not by the hairs
On our chinny chin chin,
Nor by the facades
That hide what's within.


I misunderstood Susan's prompt last week about a powerful wind and I wrote this poem.  It didn't apply to her prompt so I'm posting it today.  It is based on Brene Brown's book and famous Ted Talk, which I think makes a good point, but frankly, I think my many living years had already tried to get the point across. But, I'm still learning.

"Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brene Brown




(For Poets United.)

12 comments:

  1. Very true, Myrna. Those big bad wolves do thrive on fear...and we are often very gullible and vulnerable. I DO like the moral of your poem.

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  2. I love her books especially this one and the next, Rising Strong. She has wonderful ecourses too. Yes, fear feeds the wolf and naming our fear deflates him! Wonderful poem!

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  3. Those closing lines are so powerful, Myrna. They hit home. We live in a climate of fear, for sure. Love the idea of facing the messy house we live in, throwing the doors wide, working together to set it in order. Sadly, those in the lead aren't on the same page.

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  4. Fear makes the wolf look bigger - yes we should invite him/her in and see if the fear is inside ourselves or in them..a wonderful philosophical poem

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  5. I do think fear of the wolf is so much worse than the wolf... this one is a keeper.

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  6. Excellent lesson taught :-)
    ZQ

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  7. How I wish we could/would all open the doors to our hearts.

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  8. I have seen this so many times. The wolves of this world always go after the most fearful and anxious people who try to hide behind a facade. It seems to me they don't know what to do when they are confronted with an honest forthright person who don't cower before them. A very insightful piece, Myrna.

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  9. Nor by the facades
    That hide what's within.

    One wants to be honest to the Lord but sometimes within oneself there are obstacles.


    Hank

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  10. facing / braving the truth is the best lessons of life...the closing lines are stellar...

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  11. I love the message portrayed with such ease and flair here in your poem Myrna, no doubt the wolves thrive upon our fear and seek to dampen our spirit. Beautifully penned.

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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