Love in a Time of Flame-war (a poem)…
Oh hypocrite and critic,
Please let me hear thy flame,
That doubly rude entendre,
That debasement of my name.
I see your words and wonder
What it is you wish to find?
I feel like I must look beyond
Those words, so unkind.
You seem hell-bent on hurting
Those around you, without shame,
Yet you then ignore responses
That call out your petty game.
I imagine you sitting there,
Sneering at your screen,
Clothed only in your underwear
As you cause a virtual scene.
For you, dear flamer, I feel pity –
Right down here in my heart.
I feel like you are hurting
So, in anger, play a part.
I wonder who you really are,
I wonder about You,
That person you could surely be,
If you truly wanted to.
I wonder at your potential,
Where was it you got lost?
Why are you so unhappy?
How much has this pain cost?
I know it makes you nervous
When I speak to you with care.
I know it makes you angry
That your true feelings are lain bare.
It is true you are not alone,
There are many just like you –
Hurting in their painful lives –
Spreading pain where pain’s undue.
It might be more productive
To try some introspection.
If you understood yourself,
Might you like your own reflection?
But I digress, thou rascal,
I just wanted to say,
I see through that façade
You hide behind each day.
Do not worry, I shan’t tell
The others about you.
I’m sure that they know quite well
There’s nothing they can do.
Just know that I do care for you,
Despite your words of hate.
And I will watch you with compassion
While your anger you do sate.