Words

Tristan Robert Lange

The words reverberate—
Echo—
In a chamber of useless guilt
Grown from seed to shoot,
From shoot to stronghold,
From stronghold to sudden singe,
The sulfur hellspiring in smoldering smoke.
Why were they said?
What could I possibly have done?
The questions
Only
D
r
a
w
 
Me
 
D
e
e
p
e
r  into this constant consumption of my soul,
Where I linger on each word said,
Analyze their every meaning,
Let their letters incise my human heart—
Lacerations leaving me languished.
Moments to minutes,
Minutes to hours,
Hours to days,
A week of anxiety’s acrimony
Antagonizing me,
Judging me,
Scrutinizing me,
Picking me apart
Over words that really held no weight.
 
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
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Comments +

Comments11

  • arqios

    Hellspiring acrimony requiring antigrav! Now there’s a paradigm shift that releases πŸ™πŸ»πŸ•ŠοΈ

    • Tristan Robert Lange

      Indeed. Thank you so much for noticing and appreciating that my friend. Your time and feedback are always appreciated! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

      • arqios

        Be well and safe always dear friend πŸ™πŸ»πŸ•ŠοΈ

        • Tristan Robert Lange

          Will do. You too! πŸ™πŸ–€

        • sorenbarrett

          I obsess over words that I read and write wondering how others will take them or how I should have taken them usually to no avail. A wonderful read for poets

          • Tristan Robert Lange

            Indeed...it works both ways. As I wrote this poem it was over words received, but the same obsession works the other way. Profound insight, my friend. Thank you for your time and your thoughts, as always! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

          • 2781

            From one prick to another-self loathing- cool!

            • Tristan Robert Lange

              Thank you so much, my friend, for your time and thoughts, as always. Much appreciated! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

            • Demar Desu

              You put a lot of work into your brand and it’s respectable

              • Tristan Robert Lange

                Thank you, Demar! I appreciate you noticing and for the words of encouragement, my friend! I appreciate your time and your thoughts, always, bro! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

              • Thomas W Case

                Powerful work. I felt this.

                • Tristan Robert Lange

                  Wow! Thank you, Thomas! I am glad the emotional resonance was there. I know I was feeling it when I wrote it, but that doesn't always translate. Thank you so much for your time and your feedback. Much appreciated, my friend! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

                • Poetic Licence

                  A very interesting and quite powerful write, first i think people can be to worried about what they write and how those words come across and then over analyze the words in response, and after all are probably no wiser. Secondly in person words are very powerful if you can see and hear them being said, then you can judge how they were meant to be recieved for good or bad, enjoyed the read

                  • Tristan Robert Lange

                    Indeed and so much nuance in there. Thank you, my friend. Your time and your thoughts are always appreciated. Hope you have a restful evening! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

                    • Poetic Licence

                      You are very welcome

                    • Cheeky Missy

                      "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."(Prov 18:21) Are there truly any inconsequential words? Is that not the reason our consciences torture us internally over this speech or that? Gorgeously rendered with excellent imagery and a keenly haunting poignancy. Thank you for sharing.

                      • Tristan Robert Lange

                        You are very spot on, Missy, with your questioning. There are no inconsequential words. They have great power and, as you rightly point to, Scripture warns us time and again of the great responsibility we need when wielding them. Thank you so much, dear poet and friend, for your time, grounded insight, and ongoing support. So very much appreciated! πŸŒΉπŸ‘

                        • Cheeky Missy

                          You're welcome, thank you.

                          • Tristan Robert Lange

                            You're welcome!

                          • Tony36

                            Excellent write Tristan

                            • Tristan Robert Lange

                              Thank you so very much, my friend! Much appreciated! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

                            • orchidee

                              We can't - or can't always - and we shouldn't really - write our poems to 'fit in' with what we may feel will be acceptable to others. We certainly won't please all the people all of the time, as the saying goes.
                              At times, I feel I may write as if to suit others, but then sense I am being 'un-original' and think 'That's not what I really wanted to write' - certain line(s) or stanza(s).
                              An aside maybe - I rarely get the meanings of cryptic-themed poems! If I get too cryptic, I dunno what I'm on about (no change there then? lol).

                              • Tristan Robert Lange

                                LOL! Indeed...cryptic poems can be challenging, though I love a good challenge...and finding out how off I am in interpreting! 🀣 But seriously, I πŸ’― agree with you. What we write needs to be authentic to who we are or else it won't carry the same emotional, intellectual, or spiritual resonance that authentic expressions do. Thank you so much, Orchi, for your time and your insight on words and on writing them. I am glad that the poem resonated and am very thankful for your analysis, my dear friend! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

                              • NinjaGirl

                                Words cannot be weighed in kilograms, pounds, or stones, but they can be heavy. It seems it comes down to how much weight you choose to carry... This is a beautiful piece.

                                • Tristan Robert Lange

                                  Thank you so much, my friend. Glad it resonated and delivered. It was a rough week and this was a gem that came from the rough, so to speak. Your time, thoughts, and ongoing support mean the world to me. Thanks a billion, my friend! πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

                                  • NinjaGirl

                                    Good luck with this week! That reminds me of Aladdin..."a diamond in the rough..." haha

                                    • Tristan Robert Lange

                                      πŸ˜‰ That is exactly what rang through my head before I wrote it! Great minds + Great movies/musicals = Rock on! At least, on my side of the multiverse! LOL! Thank you so much, my friend! πŸ–€πŸ™

                                      • NinjaGirl

                                        Haha! Exactly!

                                      • nephilim56

                                        great write

                                        • Tristan Robert Lange

                                          Thank you, my friend. Much appreciated. Glad it delivered. πŸ™πŸ”₯πŸŒ€πŸ•³οΈπŸ’¬

                                          • nephilim56

                                            most welcome



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