All of us have been victims of injustice, whether significant or otherwise. When we encounter unfairness, our typical response is to retaliate in frustration. I know I bristle, and I’m a firecracker. And who can blame us?

Injustice is difficult to swallow. Forgiving someone who has taken us for granted or taken advantage of us is no walk in the park. The scales of justice are impossible to fuse when broken, and seeking vengeance is a natural reaction. 

Retaliation may not be a suitable response. Perhaps the person had a bad day and needs a bit of empathy. Seeking justice

of any kind is difficult if the person who broke those scales is one of higher authority than yourself. 

How, then, should we respond? We should never, of course, condone the behavior – we are trying to be positive without being Pollyanna. Offer a bit of empathy at a suitable time. Calmly assert yourself and set boundaries.

Enjoy this Abecedarian poem. 

A pair of scales shattered

Broken links

Chains battered

Dragged awry, stand unstable

Even balance no longer able

Forgoing arm of he who shakes, 

Grace in short stock

Heart aches

Icy cold, like Arctic Rocks

Joined plates of probity at stake

Kinship with he who rocks the stand

Links of love in disarray, hard to mend

Mercy’s balance with a thought restored

On even floor, blindfold no more ignored

Probity swings slowly, though not grand

Quiet lady justice lifts the scales,

Rickety they are, they tell their tale

Silently she sets her bounds

To those who dare to trounce

Unifies broken scales when time comes round

Vengeance not needed

When even mercy heeded

Xenodike lady and spear 

Yield to none, still appear

Zoom to heal when pleaded. 

Stay strong.mmmm Words we often hear from well-meaning friends and family trying their best to encourage us when life throws a curve ball.

Staying hopeful in tough times is  challenging , especially when those curve balls  make an appearance.  They can be difficult to dodge.

What do we do when those curve balls hit? Impossible as it seems ,  practice a little gratitude for the positive circumstances in our lives. Surrounding ourselves with positivity goes a long way, as does, well, seeking help to play a little curve ball tennis. 

Enjoy these free verses. 

Curve ball

Punch rock solid

Abrupt

Supersonic flight

Curve ball

Deflect 

With a look

At clear, open space

Curve ball

Deflect

With a look 

At vast green lawn

Curve ball

With a partner

Winner

In the game. 

Pride is a guest who can be rather difficult to deal with. On the one hand, he’s necessary because we indeed should have deep consideration of him when completing tasks. On the other, too much of him is rather off-putting to those around you. Also, he does curtail growth. How? Each time we resist the well-meaning advice of others, he causes us to do things in the same way we used to.

And that means that nothing in our life changes. We don’t move on. 

Are we too prideful? How should we pluck those peacock feathers?Do a little self-reflection, and acknowledge your imperfections (we all have them). Stay open to feedback and remember that a little humility and admission that we aren’t as perfect as we think we are doesn’t hurt. Enjoy these haikus. 

Blue peacock feathers

Tainted and bent at the sides

Not always beauteous

Eyes see the feathers

Fingers touch erroneous forms

Gently lift and keep

The azure feathers

Drifting gently in the wind

Pick up gentle flecks of gold

Blue peacock feathers

Sometimes pretty, sometimes bent

Blue hues always beautiful.