Guess, sometimes, that's what is known as 'tough love.' Remember that it's how we say them, not what we say. Thanks for sharing this thought, Marilyn.

W-e-e-e-e-l-l, if you don't want to tell me, then I'll.....I'll......I'll just run away, ............... LOL!!!! I do understand what you are saying, but you have to tell them. A Wise man once said; "Nothing is as bad as it first seems to be!" Unless you hit me #^P

Why hint about it? Just say them!!! be it private message or just let it all out for us to see lol! freedom of speech ya know? lol so what's up? nice shot by the way :-) have a cool Sunday! for me it's Nascar later on 12:30 ;-) Side note: and keeping them words in your head sometimes could be overwhelming!

bottling things up is`nt the answer as it only makes things worse .your words flow freely enough to express your thoughts so write to yourself if nothing else !! take care mick

I think you can only avoid saying things for so long ... before 'avoiding conflict' becomes unbearable. The poem illustrates this dilemma perfectly. A local saying hereabouts is "if you can't say owt good, say nowt" .. but I can't really agree. Good work Mike

WOW! Powerful work! You put your finger on one of the oldest of human problems. The truth is often a painful thing and we always wish to avoid pain! It doesn't always work for me, but I generally try to get my point across without saying brutal words...usually couched in a discussion of some sort; something to put the other person at ease and to them know that even if I am speaking a hard truth, that I actually CARE about how they feel. Easier said than done, and not always successful, but I guess that's just the way things go. As for your writing, it's brilliantly concise and very evocative of numerous moods and internal conflicts. Great work, as always and I love the image that goes with this.

Now these are profound words indeed Marilyn, and I think hit a nerve in everybody that reads them. I do like Micks suggestion though, if you cant say them for fear of upsetting sombody then write them to yourself, unless of course they upset you as well. Chipka also has some sound advice, but he admits its easier said than done. I cannot say anything to ease you I'm afraid but I'm glad you decided to let us share 'these' words at least. Fantastic. Bravo!!!!!

what a wonderful way to put it. in my life fear has been the greatest motivator to inaction. i cannot say it's a trait i like in myself. 'cause the truth always finds a way out. still, you've a wonderful way of expressing something i probably completely misunderstood... ain't art cool.

Oh dear. And while you're taking care of someone else by keeping your mouth shut, who is taking care of you? Remaining silent means you're carrying your own burden, as well as the burden you imagine they will feel if you speak. (Although you can't know - they may feel as much freedom in hearing your words as you do in speaking them. If it were me, I would not thank you for protecting me from what you wished you could say to me.) My money has already been placed where my mouth is, as you know.

What's this? Here I was, steeling myself for a verbal onslaught, excoriating me for some peccadillo I'd committed, and was then left hanging, twisting in the wind! Actually, I feel somewhat relieved about all this. No guilt trip tonight! In any case, fine prose again, Marilyn.

Words of freedom & power all bottled up. Beautiful nevertheless!!

You need to download those words to be said to who you want to say them too. If you dont you will be getting to many words in your computer which will cause you nothing but grief. Great prose here.

Very deep thoughts my friend. your words come streight from the heart and I feel what you are saying. Very Very Good stuff my friend :)

I don't know, if your words come out of your inner soul, they have a right to be born. You can't please everybody all of the time....