chewing bitter herbs.
i can taste salt in my eyes.
everyone here lies.
POET’S NOTE:
Part of the Truth, Applied collection.
© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, April 2, 2026.
Tittu
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: April 2nd, 2026 06:06
- Comment from author about the poem: Did you know I also compose classical chamber music? My latest release, The Suffering Servant: A Meditation Cycle for Piano Trio, is coming soon under Appalachian Virtual Ensemble. Two movements are available to hear exclusively on my website. Preorders are now open. https://tristanrobertlange.com/2026/03/25/the-suffering-servant-pre-order-now-available/ ... I’m now published in an anthology featuring authors from across the Poconos, PA. All proceeds benefit the Pocono Liars Club — a collective of authors and editors dedicated to supporting and mentoring local writers. Available in paperback and Kindle, please consider purchasing one and supporting a great cause. https://a.co/d/58uxM69
- Category: Haiku
- Views: 28
- Users favorite of this poem: sorenbarrett, Friendship, Carlos Alberto BUSTILLOS
- In collections: Truth, Applied.
Offline)
Comments7
Very clever Tristan this poem not only sends its message covertly but overtly. Short but with great feeling it speaks to me of sadness and in metaphor the reason for it. It to me speaks of falseness and deceit and the bitterness that leaves a taste in one's mouth as well as tears in ones eyes. The poetic touch of tasting salt in the eyes was masterful. A lovely write my friend
Soren, I really appreciate this, my friend… you caught both the overt and the covert, and that balance was exactly what I was going for. The way you named the bitterness, the tears, and the falseness all together… that’s the space this sits in, for sure. Thank you for your insights as always. 🌹🖤🙏🦇🐦⬛
Always most welcome Tristan
Reminds me of the bitter herbs of the Seder. It brings thoughts back to the struggles and the lies. Good stuff here, Tittu🕊️🙏🏻
Yay! As intended. arqios, I really appreciate this… you went straight to the Seder connection and the weight behind it, and that’s exactly the layer sitting underneath the surface here. The struggle, the memory, the bitterness… all of it tied together. Thank you for your time and insights, my friend. 🕯️🪞🌑🙏
Not a worry my friend, it feels like it’s come to a point where leavening has invaded all parts of existence to be able to even make love not war 🕊️🙏🏻
Hopefully not everyone!
Haha… I appreciate this… I think Jesus would relate to that sentiment on this day, two thousand years ago. 🤔 Thanks for your time and thoughts, my friend. 🕯️🪞🌑🙏
this is a very fine example of one of my favourite poetic forms .. nice one T .. N 😎🐦⬛🐦⬛🐈⬛🖤👍
Neville, I really appreciate this… especially you picking up on the form and the way it holds the piece together. I’m glad it spoke to you. Thanks, my friend. 🕯️🪞🌑🙏
I'm so sorry for your pain, but what a powerful statement you made! The statement explores themes of bitterness, emotional pain, and disillusionment. It conveys a sense of personal anguish tied to the experience of betrayal and the harshness of reality.
Friendship, thank you for this, my friend… you really captured the bitterness, the pain, and the sense of disillusionment in it. There’s truth in your read… it comes from real wounds, and also from reflecting on that deeper shared woundedness you felt in the piece, especially on Maundy Thursday. I’m grateful you stepped into it like this. 🕯️🪞🌑🙏
Good write T. Erm, that looks a bit like Popeye getting a look in. What's he up to? WCAT of course! lol.
Thank glug...i mean...you, Orchi! (Stop it Popeye!). LOL! Don't it though? Indeed, WCAT! Hey, at least the light's on! 🤷♂️🤣 🕯️🪞🌑🙏
Yeh - gets me twitter and bisted at times...
Short sharp call, Tristan.
Dave, yeah…same here. It hits that nerve quick and doesn’t stop. Thank you, my friend. 🕯️🪞🌑🙏
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