How to be terrible

by Larry Chamberlin   Jun 28, 2012


Ever the hero lacks true strength
when she is young and still untested;
sweet youth blinds her from accepting
her depth of wickedness invested
in each lapse of kind intention;
learning her capacity for evil
imparts the gift of potency:
virtue creates cosmic upheaval.

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  • 11 years ago

    by Lioness

    Hey Larry!

    I had to read this piece a couple of times to make sure I took the words in. At first for some reason I was concentrating on the rhyming (which is awesome by the way) rather than the words themselves, so I read it again.

    I like the title, at first looking at the title I thought the poem may have been some kind of list on how to be terrible, I thought the poem would be longer but even in 8 lines you have managed to bring this out.

    Awesome write. I certainly enjoyed the read. I have to agree with Andrea on this one as well!!!

    x

    • 11 years ago

      by Larry Chamberlin

      Women in many of our cultures are indoctrinated against tapping into their true power. They are schooled to associate 'terrible' with bad. I point to the description of the storm gods, Zeus and Woden and their brethren, who were described in their 'terrible majesty.' I would that every girl learn young that their shadow is not evil, but rather, their source of true power. Acceptance of one's capacity for doing bad, yet choosing to do good: such is the male experience kept from women. Learning to draw on the rage within you to lend strength to great feats is not allowed to women, although they do it instinctively in the protection of their family & in childbirth. Take a lesson from the modern retelling of an Irish hero's story as he is portrayed in the Incredible Hulk. Mastering anger, rage & righteousness, leads to that level of confidence that moves mountains.

  • 11 years ago

    by Maple Tree

    Larry-

    This poem is drenched with such a deep message that brings me to my knees... Your poem has tossed me into next week, for it speaks volumes of a troubled soul who has a face of a heroic design and yet marked with a mask of evil... this is how I took your poem... I adore your word usage and also I was dazzled by the visuals I had while reading it... truly a wonderful piece by you!

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