Bearing Witness ~ (the corruption of a friend)

Wow, Rene! I really like how used a table for your expression.

you

hmmmm ~ Hi Carrie ~ L O L ~ I can SEE right now that the comments that follow this writing will be VERY INTERESTING.

TABLES have a way of telling stories. Tables are the gathering places for both "enemies" and "friends". Tables radiate love, joy, tears, sadness, screaming matches, lies, deceit, pain, and unforgiveness.

Extremes can be covered over, wiped, cleaned, and sometimes even bleached. But one thing is for SURE ~ ALL THINGS are revealed (in due time).

you ~ me ~ and all that will ever be -- "feeling unlimited" -- like a UNIVERSAL thought that stretches beyond where it's laid.

HUGS ~ and ~ THANKS Carrie!

I want to say that "I am listening" You have me wondering my friend.

Smiles to you Karen ~ and MUCH LOVE . . .

As I continue through these comments, I think I'll be WONDERING right along with you! Ahahahah ~ onward . . .

People see what they chose to see but eventually the truth becomes too clear and too obvious to ignore.

SAY IT Sister Linda!

Surely, your words are TRUE.

Thanks for stopping by to comment.

HUGS my "Compassionate" Friend!

Wow, this really hits hard. Poisoned indeed. Please tell me it's fictional and not about anyone you know.

And yes, it's easy to toss it all under the rug (or table cloth) but in time it usually starts to show.

Hey ~ Hey Jen!

You know, even though I wrote it, this one HIT me HARD too! ~ L O L.

It is not fictional. In the sense that it happens every day to someone somewhere.

Is it about anyone that I know? I'm sure it is. I'm also sure that it is about everyone who is reading it in some way or another ~ whether known, unknown, or under the tablecloth.

"Showing" ~ it is, in so many people . . . in so many lives . . . on so many levels.

THANKS a lot for being a good friend Jen, and for commenting on this one.

Marriage is a complex relationship and it is easy to sweep things under the rug/table. This is about many people in many places which is sad. Thank you for this eye-opener.

Hi Elizabeth ~ Thanks for adding in your thoughts . . .

MARRIAGE, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIPS, WORK RELATIONSHIPS, ASSOCIATIONS, et al. can ALL be c o m p l e x at times, or not, depending upon the people involved.

I think that poison in terms of this writing is most dangerous when the issues are not addressed or CONFRONTED. An agreeable resolution may not take place, but at least an effort being made towards bringing the "feelings" and "emotions" involved to the forefront will result in denial being absolved.

Good to SEE you!

I knew someone like this. It is scary, yet difficult to walk away.

You SEE what I'm saying Jennifer ~ L O L ~ just view my comment above this one. Thanks for taking the time to read this and comment.

This is an excellent write, Rene.

Strongly written! Well done.

Thank you Jannell and Tanya! You know how I admire both of your works.

Janell I was reading one of your interesting comments yesterday on a post by Lionel.

Tanya ~ The Exorcism . . .We're still discussing it. You bring out such FASCINATING TOPICS.

Thanks, René, but I can't take credit for bringing up that topic. My post was simply my response to Richard's article. I've been quite surprised to see that it keeps drawing interest. It peaks my 'wondering' (not exactly imagination in this case). What's going on in the world that is being reflected by the continuing interest and draw to this particular topic? The number of views continues to grow.

It's also been of interest to me how many different experiences and beliefs are shared. My own experiences of such are different than some, but I haven't chosen to share any specific detail, at least at this time, as it could compromise confidences.

Tanya! GOOD, you're back...

I have MUCH to say on the topic, but I wanted to let your DISCUSSION keep going, and going, and going ~ ahahah ~ before I shared something else about it, because it would no doubt have everyone really jumping in. TRUE STORY too.

Now, I'm curious about what you can share in further addition to what is already there in the DISCUSSION. Nothing shocks me about what can be said about it. And, further ~ the TRUE EXPERIENCES of people in regard to it.

I'm sure you can relay what you have to say without betraying confidences. Just don't mention any names.

I'm going to get back over to that DISCUSSION Tanya -- It is really FASCINATING (the comments) as well as a couple of other discussions going on at the same time. I'll SEE you for sure in the DISCUSSIONS!

Powerful depiction and tragically sad...

You know Marilyn ~ I am convinced that you would be a Great Reviewer, Publisher, and Editor. To the bone CONVINCED!

Thank you for reading this and commenting....speaking of comments, your FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS are pulling down the comments!

Very powerful...I wonder who hurt you girl ? Cannot the table bring families together for just a day....a meal from grandmother with her recipe lying six foot under the ground but the smell still radiates from that moment in time....the sitting across one another talking eye to eye with a dream or hope that was childish but all to soon forgotton until passing as a grown-up .... A old table bought and traded through the years yeilding many happy and sad gatherings now sits a lonely man with dreams of what besat that table eating alone.sooooo much life. I know of sadness . Sadness brings out my best work but it makes me WONDER ...WHATS UP , GIRL ?

Korak has a point. Though I can feel the poem going beyond a skin-deep hurt.



smell of memories

Korak and Master Poet Poddar ~ What a combination!

First, let me say that Poddar ~ You pegged it ~ This poem goes beyond a skin-deep hurt FOR SURE.

Now as to Korak's comments ~ AHAHAHAHAHAH! You crack me up Korak.

YES, the TABLE can bring families together for just a day [At least in some households]. You KNOW that there are some families that are TOTALLY DRAMA~FILLED. It's laughable when you die, but not when you're alive bearing the brunt of the craziness -- and I just KNOW that somebody reading this KNOWS what I mean.

Now, Korak, as to my Grandmother's cooking ~ She made it clear that she was taking it with her when she left ~ lol ~ and she did ~ smells and all. Because after all, nobody does it like GRANDMA.

Korak ~ You say you KNOW of SADNESS? What? WHATS UP, HOMEE? What's that all about?

Your poetic and literary works are like screaming for you to get to them. We're waiting ever so patiently for some of your poetics and literary pieces you know . YOU opened the door to that one. Snip ... Snip ... Snippets! And, "30" words, and not a letter over ~ hahahah.

Poddar I'm going to check out "smell of memories", and you'll find my comments in your poetic workshop of wonders ~ if they are not already there. You always make me go back to your works, when you know that I read them faithfully {smiles}.

MUCH LOVE to you both! And THANKS for the many ways you are both so supportive and INSPIRING. Korak, I love your sense of humor, and Poddar I know you always have my back, and I'm so GLAD about it!...

Your Friend,
Rene

Wonderful imagery! Recalls a recent experience that I've had. Well done, Rene.

Patricia ~ ut oh ~ BRILLIANT WOMAN that you are...

A recent experience like the one described means you'll be needing some AArtistic Therapy {promo} tee-hee.

You know I was reading your comments on Lionel's Article, and I had to just give you a double AMEN! You are truly an IN-TUNE individual.

Thank you Patricia, and BIG HUGS!

Hugs right back atcha!
:-)

Rene, this has to be one of the most powerful writings I've read in a long time. The power of your words pierces the heart of it all.

Is this featured, it bloody well should be!

Ahahah ~ Thanks Ruthi. It will be FEATURED somewhere ~ I suppose. Thanks for your support and encouragement.

The analogy is perfect. Really felt this poem deeply. And, I'm sure we have all had a scarred table with a lovely table cloth covering it at one time or another.

Hi Donna! Thank you.

And yes, WE ALL have, or will if it has not yet happened. The best advice I can give anyone with a tablecloth overlaid upon a marred and scared table is to rip it off, and lay out the TRUTH. Sometimes it means the table has to GO all together. And, in many cases, that is not such a bad idea!

HUGS!

thanks for sharing.

SMOOCHES Larry!

I think we have all known that kind of table and felt the sour notes and poison in our belly. This is a strong and well written piece. I'm glad I stopped by to read it.

Whoo! Such passionate witnessing!

Dianna and d g. ~ Thank you both for taking the time to read this poetic piece and Dianna your comments appreciated.

d g. ~ I'm smiling because I can just picture you as you typed your comments ~ l o l.

Excellent and so true, Rene' and yes, this would have been featured if it were posted to a group of mine. Maybe next time?
Yes, we must have hope and an uncovered table, for if there are scratches, like are on mine, they are there from honest work, like Mark says, it's a working table, for meals, chopping (butcher block), I've made soap on it to use and donate to food pantrys and have holiday meals on it - and never once covered it.

You cover poison, not the good. This is one of your best, Rene'!

Marilyn

Hi Marilyn ~ THANK YOU! I am a Member of one of your Groups, which I have MUCH I can add in there, and will soon. I'll email you...

I like what you've said, "Yes, we must have hope and an uncovered table . . ." ~ Marilyn N.

"Uncovered Tables" ~ My dear Marilyn is INSPIRATION for my next writing! I can say much more after I receive comments on it ~ l o l. The "HONEST WORK" PRINCIPLE is a GOLDEN RULE that was instilled in the BEST of us at an early age.

While you've mentioned, "You cover poison, not the good." . . . I believe that "poison" can never be covered ~ at least not for long...

And I believe that the GOOD can be hidden and unseen from the wicked and ungodly. And that in it so being hidden, it is GOOD -- without any distractions from its intented GOOD PURPOSES, and hid away from those things (or people) that would in any ways defile the GOOD it represents.

Thank you so much for reading and commenting on this Marilyn, and look for an email from me.

very powerful words... yes tablecloths can hold a lot of information.. Some do hide their real feeling under the tablecloth...but they also wear masks..

Hi Doxie~ You have POWERFUL WRITINGS as well. Check your "friendship" requests out.

Now, about what you've shared in your comments...

" . . . yes tablecloths can hold a lot of information..." ~ Doxie Lover

Doxie, that one statement takes this writing in another direction -- TABLECLOTHES can hold a lot of information spiritually. TABLECLOTHES can also lay the information under the tablecloth on top of the tablecloth if you have "spiritual eyes" to SEE. And the gift of "discernment" also helps put situations and circumstances in their proper perspectives.

The "masks" that you mention are one in the same of what I've just mentioned ~ It is clearly discernable who is WHO and what is WHAT...there is nothing that is hidden that shall not be uncovered.

WE can take that to the BANK. [The Spiritual Bank].

Thank you for taking the time to read this Writing and to comment. Much appreciated.

And, Doxie ~ I LOVE your ICON!

Rene,
Thank you !
God Bless

I really love your outlook.
Thanks for mentioning my writings .

I'm IMPRESSED by your writings Doxie. And thank you for what you've said about mine ~ {smiles}.

Thank you :D

that's how many dinners are eaten now, in spite, anger, disdain... so sad

Your comments are interesting Lady of Lake Merritt ~ And, often TRUE too (unfortunately). The table is empty ~ the chairs are gone...

Sometimes that turns out to be a GOOD THING!

[. . . just keeping it REAL!]

that's true

I saw this in action when I was a child and many times over the years I have recognized the poisoning.

To turn the table just slightly - I've also often thought about the malice, prejudice and hate spewed and indoctrinated to children at the dinner table of a good Christian family. See what a beautiful picture they all make eating as a family ... in reality hate, fear of failure and ultimately the knowledge that you are not good enough to rise up and do well for yourself in the world - you learn to hate and despise the ones who are "better - richer" than you are "taught" that you will ever be.
Breeding mediocrity and worse.

W o W Rose! ~ You serve a POWERFUL bowl of soup to digest!

You've certainly relayed FULLY the intent of this WRITING...Like the handwriting on the wall, not everyone SEES it, and many don't GET IT, and still others suffer unawares from it. All the same, the handwriting is written, and the results MANIFEST. . . .

What each member at the table does with the manifestation is by CHOICE. All dinners can either be taken in or not, digested or not, regurgitated or not.

YES ~ Dinner is served everywhere, every day . . .

But, LOVING Dinners are ALWAYS to be CHERISHED.

HUGS ~ And thanks for interjecting your wisdom. MUCH LOVE to you WISE Rose!

Lovely poem helps to stress that what each of us "bring to the table" can influence the outcome. If we sit too needy, or if we sit wanted to reach out in love, the outcome will be different. I cannot change what you do, I can only change what I do and my reactions to what you do...

A toxic meal may come from within each ...

Nora ~ I love your comments . . . Let me think on what you've said, because I want to ask you something . . .

Be back!

Nora ~ I'm back . . . When you said, "Lovely poem helps to stress that what each of us "bring to the table" can influence the outcome."

That is such an introspective statement. That one statement alone asks each person who comes to sit at the table to check themselves before they sit down, and ask of their "self" ~ What are you bringing to this table? Is it JOY, HAPPINESS, INSPIRATION, WISDOM, or the polar opposite of those attributes?

The OUTCOME of a sit down at the TABLE has much to do with the personalities and moods that are exuding influence upon the emotions and feelings of everyone at the table.

Which leads to your next statement, "If we sit too needy, or if we sit wanting to reach out in love, the outcome will be different."

A contrast that you gave of "too needy" or "reaching out in love" is interesting. What is "too needy"? Should any of us ever be in need? And, if so is there a limit to what we should be in need of? Is there a line we should draw in terms of WHO we should share our needs with?

And, I love your last statement . . .

"I cannot change what you do, I can only change what I do and my reactions to what you do..." ~ Nora J A.

SO TRUE!

another kind of poisoning:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977820958

Hi Libramoon ~ You and Master Poet Poddar blow me away with the interconnected links that you add in with your comments. I read the other kind of poison that you mentioned above ~ EXCELLENT WRITING!

parasites will be FEATURED in Artistic Therapy tomorrow!

Thank you very much for leading me (and I hope many others) to your writing. It is something to "think" on and keep a WATCHFUL EYE on.

HUGS ~
Your Friend,
René

As I read this, I cringed...not just from having seen that table before, but knowing that what is beneath does eventually come out. From this I also got the sensation of how anger and hate can fill us until we are almost "bursting"...if we allow it too. And how those emotions can only overcome us unless we learn to AND allow ourselves to let go of it. Funny how a table cloth is much like a mask...a mask that covers the ugliness that may be beneath. But it also can conceal the beauty too, our choice....

Hi Renda ~ You've made such GOOD POINTS.

The elements of built up "ANGER" and "HATE" are what can happen when a person will not talk about the underlying issues at hand in a MATURE and SATISFACTORY way. What also happens (sometimes) when issues are discussed is "RESENTMENT". Resentment results from the way in which the issues are discussed. When the people talking begin to BLAME the other person for things that bring to light the REAL INTENTIONS AND MOTIVATIONS behind what is being said (and also what took place). From there starts the circular pattern of non-resolution.

The IMPORTANT point you've made is about "Letting Go". LEARNING the proper way in which to do just that is not necessarily an easy task. When someone's actions have hurt a person very DEEPLY, it is not so easy to just let go of the "emotions" and "feelings" involved with that hurt or hurts.

The last part of what you said is a topic for another GOOD DISCUSSION . . .

"Funny how a table cloth is much like a mask...a mask that covers the ugliness that may be beneath. But it also can conceal the beauty too, our choice...." ~ Renda B.

Renda ~ Thanks for adding in more FOOD for THOUGHT!

UGLINESS or BEAUTY ~ OUR CHOICE.

HUGS ~
Your Collaborating Friend
Rene

Ahahah! ~ Thanks Cassandra . . . Yeah, those "sour notes" in the belly will do it every time. I'm glad you stopped by to read this.

Sensitive, deep and oh so true

Thanks for taking the time to read my poetics Debra.

HUGS ~
Rene

It takes someone understanding to discern the heart to be sure. I have sanded a tabletop and refinished it for a writing desk. I forgave it for having a drink ring on it. A gentle heart strives for perfection, but a cynic will never know true love. You must be a friend to have a friend. Sometimes that takes honesty and forgiveness.

Beautifully spoken Dano. . . .

"I have sanded a tabletop and refinished it for a writing desk. I forgave it for having a drink ring on it." ~ Dano C.

The particular point that you brought out about the "drink ring" brings another element into view ~ and that is "friends" who are willing to overlook imperfections, forgive mistakes, and help to refinish any marred or scarred "footprints" so to speak.

I SEE the "cynic" as a person who has been very hurt in life, and has not found the correct avenues in which to resolve the hurts.

TRUE FRIENDS are those in your life who LOVE you "unconditionally". And like you said above, 'being a friend sometimes takes honesty and forgiveness.' -- I would take it further and say "ALWAYS" versus 'sometimes'.

Thank you so much for adding in your wisdom Dano.

HUGS ~
Your Friend,
Rene
P.S. ~ Loving your DREAM INTERPRETATIONS! == Dream Depths

The table corrupts eh?
Thanks for posting to my group, Anythingwriting

S o m e t i m e s . . . it does Angela . . . sometimes it does.

l o l ~ You're welcome! Enjoying your Gather Group Sister A.

beautifully crafted poetic purging

:) wishing you laughter