We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

2.12.22

Point of View

‘Those bloody bleeding hearts,’ he said, and I thought, 

‘Of course. If they’re bleeding, they would be bloody.’


‘What can you expect,’ he said, ‘from such tree-huggers?

They’re so green!’ and I wondered, was it from the leaves? 


A bleeding heart, I suppose, must be one that’s dying. A tree-hugger, though, would be embracing life. It doesn’t add up.


‘They talk a lot of rot!’ he said. But when I listened, I found

their words were not of rotting, but for keeping the living alive.




Written for Friday Writings #55: Bleeding Hearts, at Poets and Storytellers United.





23 comments:

  1. Rosemary, your last line fits my experiences; I have a 'tree hugger' daughter who works for BP, British Petroleum. They on Arbor Day sponsor tree planting outings. She IS tender hearted; she gets that from me. Whether or not it bleeds I just have to guess.
    ..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well I'm a little bit tongue-in-cheek of course. But my last line is serious.

      Delete
  2. This reminds me of a significant forest conservation movement by rural women in India in the 70s... now all the more relevant and yet the destruction never stops...all for "progress"....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chipko? Yes, that was the source of the phrase. I'm sorry to read that the destruction didn't stop.

      Delete
  3. I remember hearing things like that when I was growing up too (not typically from either parent, but other adults). It's funny how it sounds even more nonsensical once I grew up (and sadder too).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not from my parents either (who would have been more likely to attract those labels!) but I've heard them from plenty others and seen them nowadays in social media.

      Delete
  4. Touche! I thought the same type of thoughts the first time I heard that saying.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to know that, Colleen! My piece is fictional really, and these thoughts only just occurred to me after reading Magaly's prompt and wondering how to address it. Glad it rings true!

      Delete
  5. I really like the speaker's voice and tone, the humorous play on words and meaning. I also love the ending, the acknowledgment of what matters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the prompt, and for 'getting' this so well.

      Delete
  6. I found their words were not of rotting,
    but for keeping the living alive.

    That is a better way of looking at it. Beautiful last line Rosemary!

    Hank

    ReplyDelete
  7. The climate change deniers are the ones talking rot.
    That's what i gather from your lovely poem. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Them among others; anyone who prioritises profit and convenience above the needs of our natural world. Thanks for the 'lovely'!

      Delete
  8. If only the glum hearts would be open to listen.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love it!...We need more bleeding hearts and more listening ears.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, dear Susie! Good to hear from you.

      Delete
    2. Yes Rosemary, a full of love bleeds even unto nature. Making a great point

      Delete
  10. What would this world be if not for tender, "bleeding" hearts!?

    ReplyDelete

DON'T PANIC IF YOUR COMMENTS DON'T POST IMMEDIATELY. They are awaiting moderation. Please allow for possible time difference; I am in Australia. ALSO, IF YOU ARE FORCED TO COMMENT ANONYMOUSLY – do add your name at the end, so I know it's you!