dying diseased words
gasp-
the scaly, slippery beings-
how they are
bereft of that golden sheen-
bred in cramped quarters
of cliché ,
exaggeration,
untruth,
they can no longer take in
the stress
of being hyper active-
how hard it is
for one
to let go of their pet words-
Posted for Poetry Pantry 431@ Poets United
sumanar/lekha 
Ha, I so like the way you describe them!
May we find fresh new healthy ones!
Yes, yes to this–every line of it! I love this image: “bred in cramped quarters
of cliché ,
exaggeration,
untruth . . . ” The words are, and we are, and we are , too. Letting go is hard, and the goal–to find our centers–is elusive.
Bereft of their golden sheen…….the poems you write about faith have that golden sheen, my friend.
As year comes to an end, hopefully the dying, deceased words will leave as well. May beautiful living words be discovered in the new year.
Stunning poem!!
Yeah it is hard to extricate oneself from those cliches!
‘Bereft of their golden sheen’… oh this is stunning! ❤️
Fake news made of fake words. Indeed we need to let go of those. May the words of golden sheen return to as as the new year come to us . Peace
Happy you dropped by my sumie Sunday today Sumana
Much💜love
When I first started writing, we were told to occasionally go through our poems and check for “taboo” words and add them to our list of “Do not use” or “Overused” words. That’s what your words reminded me of when I read them. Your words are never cliche…they are fresh and filled with passion.
Elizabeth
https://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2018/12/02/me/
I love the fresh words when the old one are worn, or even more when the old ones are false.
Wow, yes it is hard to let them go, and there is so many. 🙂
A truthful and I must say entertaining subject and I had to chuckle when I thought of my pet words…..when I am tired of them, I repurpose them with clearer thought. But now we are adrift in these words and so mired in the lies and pet phrases that I want to scream. This was clever and well done Sumana.
They stick like runny glue that doesn’t quite work, but makes a mess anyway, don’t they? Love your descriptive power.
I like the idea of letting go of those ‘dying diseased words… bred in cramped quarters of cliché, / exaggeration, / untruth’. It is indeed a hard thing to do for many people, including poets.
You had me at ‘dying diseased words…’- love your descriptions.
This is such a pertinent piece. The concept of taking words in what (to my mind) is a hitherto, uncharted direction is absolutely brilliant – the affect: hauntingly stunning.
Letting go of almost anything is difficult! 😉
If giving up our stupidity were as easy as giving up words. I can remember as a child being told which words not to use so was very careful not to use them at home!
kaykuala
of cliché, ,exaggeration,untruth,
they can no longer take in the stress
Much as what most desire they often fall into the trap. Sometimes one would not want to indulge in it but they are most tempting!
Hank
untruths, fake news, yes, certainly they are diseased, to be avoided until they belonged where they should be, buried.
interesting angle, Sumana. 🙂
New words are always welcome!! Perhaps some words become favorites, as they reveal our “truth?”
So true. Old habits die hard. The pathways are worn.