The Four-Letter Word | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Poetry
  3. Haiku
  4. The Four-Letter Word

The Four-Letter Word

April 29, 2013
By SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
More by this author
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile

Inappropriate:
Pathetic, appropriate:
Most beautiful sight...

Inappropriate:
Brittle, but appropriate:
Elastic. Ductile.

Inappropriate:
Fades, but when appropriate:
By God's blessing grows.

Yes appropriate,
May often break away but
Maybe never was.

When appropriate,
You make your way without fear
Of falling apart.

And fearfulness of
Fear chills me to the veins,
Don't wanna be scared.

You softly asked my
Demented thoughts and I have
Put them before thee.

But then I never
Actually believed in
It to begin with.

© Emily B., Houston, TX

Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Poetry
Remember to Forget me
By Xinwen PLATINUM
Brossard, Other
Xinwen PLATINUM, Brossard, Other
44 articles 0 photos 25 comments
View profile
Poetry
Quiet on the Range
By bailey bell BRONZE
Lubbock, Texas
bailey bell BRONZE, Lubbock, Texas
1 article 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
Western Nights
By Snead452 BRONZE
Lubbock, Texas
Snead452 BRONZE, Lubbock, Texas
1 article 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
Pride
By Dylon Craig BRONZE
Lubbock, Texas
Dylon Craig BRONZE, Lubbock, Texas
1 article 0 photos 0 comments
View profile
Poetry
Cowboy Days
By Katrap BRONZE
Lubbock, Texas
Katrap BRONZE, Lubbock, Texas
4 articles 0 photos 22 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you&#039;re gonna get.&quot; Forest Gump

View profile
Poetry
A Wild Ride
By KelseyRo BRONZE
Wolfforth, Texas
KelseyRo BRONZE, Wolfforth, Texas
1 article 0 photos 0 comments
View profile

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 20 comments.

SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on Aug. 3 2013 at 9:48 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Hey, you are so right. It really has been quite long. And maybe you're exaggerating a little bit, but Thank You so much and I hope it grows even more. The second stanza meant that appropriate love can bend and compromise that sort of thing but yes, it was somewhat abstract and can mean different things when looked at differently...  And well, I was somewhat concerned as to the last stanza, you know..the complete negation but now that you say you like it, I think I am not worried anymore. Thanks so much for reading. Best Regards.
thatunknownthing DIAMOND said...
on Jul. 1 2013 at 8:24 am
thatunknownthing DIAMOND, Dubai, Other
67 articles 0 photos 208 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift; that&#039;s why they call it the present&quot;

View profile
Long time no speak! Your writing seems to have grown in this short while, the second stanza was a little baffling, but all that adds to good essence and our ending was totally cool. I esp. liked the 2nd last stanza!
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on Jun. 28 2013 at 7:44 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Oh Thank you! And Congratulations, it is indeed about Love! And well, I suppose it will be different for on this topic I think rather uniquely but am ever afraid (also alightly doubtful) to put forward my thoughts. This is the first time I ever did it :) Hahaha, yes It does now that I look at it. Wow you are an amazing reader truly. And Thanks again!
StarlitSunrise DIAMOND said...
on Jun. 27 2013 at 12:06 pm
StarlitSunrise DIAMOND, Clemmons, North Carolina
56 articles 0 photos 253 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.&quot; ~Camille Pissarro

View profile
This is so awesome! I'm a sucker for haikus, and this is without a doubt one of the best (or a collection of the best) I have ever read. Am I correct in thinking it is about love? My gosh, I really hope it is. Sometimes it seems like love has been written about with every angle, voice, and style--but here is something new! My favorite stanza (or perhaps haiku; I'm not sure what to call it) is the third from last. I especially like how the second line could work by itself, but deepens when read in conjunction with the first. Great work!
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on Jun. 23 2013 at 5:05 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Hmm...That won't do,, I really thought the title was obvious enough but now that two people say that they didn't get it maybe there is something I need to change... Would you be so kind as to explain please that was it some part of it that you did not understand or was it the theme on the whole? I shall very much like to explain, so that it makes sense to you. And thank you so much for reading.  Please do tell in what way I should explain it, like the few stanzas or the essence?    
WrenArrington said...
on Jun. 21 2013 at 8:54 pm
WrenArrington, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
0 articles 0 photos 74 comments
View profile
Hmm, I don't really understand the first few haikus, but I like the idea of using multiple haikus to form a larger poem. Regardless of whether it made sense to me, your language is strong and powerful, like you're daring readers to disagree with you. It's great that you have an easily distinguishable voice in your poetry.
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on May. 29 2013 at 4:30 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Well, Thank you milady .. You be a great reader, don't stop with the wonderful advice EVER. :D
Carpe-Caffeam GOLD said...
on May. 28 2013 at 3:02 pm
Carpe-Caffeam GOLD, No Where, Florida
10 articles 0 photos 444 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;If it weren&rsquo;t for the coffee, I&rsquo;d have no identifiable personality whatsoever.&rdquo; &ndash;David Letterman

View profile
Ahhhh I see :D Well, excellent job!
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on May. 25 2013 at 4:38 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Oh Thank You ever so much for taking the time out to read this. I'm ecstatic that you like it :))
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on May. 25 2013 at 4:33 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Ah Mckay! It has been far too long I feel. And you as always raise me up overmuch.. :)) But Thank You! Do tell me which part was your favourite and what do you think of what I think? I mean do you agree or disgree?    And well one day a some 10 days ago or so I got this email and someone had rated it one out of 5 so I was pretty vexed but you're always there to bring me back up again. Thank You ever so much for that. You're awesome!
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on May. 25 2013 at 4:26 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Oh I'm sorry about that, but actually I thought it was pretty obvious... Ah well... So sorry for the inconvenience, it's about the most famous four-letter word "love" And I think people might disagree... Many would I'm sure , with what I think,.. But thanks anyway for commenting.. I hope this clears things up. If not, I'll be happy to explain more :))
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on May. 25 2013 at 4:24 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Oh Krasota Thank You for your appreciation! I am ever so happy. :D And well, I see your point and actually it's not like I didn't spot it. I put the "Thee" there in place to make that one stand out but your advice for uniformity: I'll definitely keep in mind. And You have a nice day too. Sorry for taking forever to reply :)))) And Christi: You are always pretty helpful and you helped a lot and made me think on this one so I wanted to thank you for that too :D Thanks!
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND said...
on May. 25 2013 at 4:21 am
SaphiraBrightscales DIAMOND, Islamabad, Other
75 articles 16 photos 1136 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. <br /> - Maya Angelou <br /> When i was little/I used to point a chubby finger toward the dark sky/And ask my father/why some stars moved and others didn&rsquo;t/He would laugh and explain that some were airplanes/I still wish on them today ~ Laugh-It-Out<br /> The feathers of a crow are black/The ink of my pen is blacker/The pain of my heart is blackest~ Mckay<br /> If love produced a blossom/I&rsquo;d take it in my palm/What a blessing, the bright color!/How soothing, such a balm!/I&rsquo;d keep a petal for my own/The rest, drop from my hands/For such a flower would multiply/And populate the lands~ thesilentraven<br /> And I began to rival legends/Long entombed before my birth./But for all my much envied fame/The lust for more would not abate./The plaques and prizes with my name/Will, like all things, disintegrate. ~ TheEpic95 now known as Helena_Noel

View profile
Aw.. Thanks Christi! Plus ain't it so cool that you be the first person to comment on this.. I'm really proud of this one too because this is something I wanted to put uniquely AND hopefully I did :))) Thanks ever so much for the feedback :D You be the best! I wonder how Em hasn't read it yet..It's been posted long...hmm well..
TanviKusum DIAMOND said...
on May. 23 2013 at 5:27 pm
TanviKusum DIAMOND, Gurgaon, Other
89 articles 4 photos 197 comments

Favorite Quote:
All men who have achieved great things have been great dreamers. <br /> Orison Swett Marden<br /> <br /> &quot;The role of a writer is not to say what we all can say, but what we are unable to say.&quot; - Anais Nin<br /> <br /> we speak in hushed voices so as to not wake our memories

View profile
This was absolutely amazing and treat to read. wow :D
Helena_Noel BRONZE said...
on May. 16 2013 at 9:19 am
Helena_Noel BRONZE, Burnt Hills, New York
1 article 0 photos 629 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;I&#039;d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I&#039;d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way: The eye&#039;s a better pupil and more willing than the ear, fine counsel is confusing, but example&#039;s always clear.&rdquo; -Edgar Guest

View profile
Ah, yes. I do agree with Krasota. I should have caught it and warned you, then you could have chosen wich language to use throughout.
Mckay ELITE said...
on May. 9 2013 at 1:48 pm
Mckay ELITE, Somewhere, Virginia
146 articles 0 photos 2230 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.&quot;<br /> &mdash;Apple&rsquo;s &ldquo;Think Different&rdquo; commercial, 1997<br /> &ldquo;Crazy people are considered mad by the rest of the society only because their intelligence isn&#039;t understood.&rdquo; <br /> ― Weihui Zhou

View profile
Oh and fret not the archaic language. It adds more flare and uniqueness to it. Remember poetry is about being to true to you and you only. 
Mckay ELITE said...
on May. 9 2013 at 1:46 pm
Mckay ELITE, Somewhere, Virginia
146 articles 0 photos 2230 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.&quot;<br /> &mdash;Apple&rsquo;s &ldquo;Think Different&rdquo; commercial, 1997<br /> &ldquo;Crazy people are considered mad by the rest of the society only because their intelligence isn&#039;t understood.&rdquo; <br /> ― Weihui Zhou

View profile
You are a genuis with haikus. Are you Basho reincarnated? HAHA. This obviously took talent...patience to pick the right words and convey the wanted emotion. Saphira, your haikus always amaze, as does your other work, not to belittle it. Love it.
OldYoungOne said...
on May. 8 2013 at 7:25 pm
Im condused by this poem can you explain to me whay this is?
Carpe-Caffeam GOLD said...
on May. 8 2013 at 5:48 pm
Carpe-Caffeam GOLD, No Where, Florida
10 articles 0 photos 444 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;If it weren&rsquo;t for the coffee, I&rsquo;d have no identifiable personality whatsoever.&rdquo; &ndash;David Letterman

View profile
I love this! My only suggestion is that "thee" sounds antiquated when you use "you" throughout the poem. It's probably best to keep your style of writing uniform throughout this piece. Otherwise, I think that you're a very talented writer and this piece more than echoed that fact! :D Have a nice day!
Helena_Noel BRONZE said...
on May. 8 2013 at 5:29 pm
Helena_Noel BRONZE, Burnt Hills, New York
1 article 0 photos 629 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;I&#039;d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I&#039;d rather one should walk with me than merely tell the way: The eye&#039;s a better pupil and more willing than the ear, fine counsel is confusing, but example&#039;s always clear.&rdquo; -Edgar Guest

View profile
Sweet! 'Tis up! Proud of ya! You did a good job with this one. I wont givw away the answer, but I do like it. Like EPluribusUnum said a while back, it has such a beauti haunting feel.