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Don't Be Insensitive

Say It Plainly Challenge

By Susan PaytonPublished about 17 hours ago Updated about 14 hours ago 1 min read
Photo by Susan Payton (c)2025

do not fire upon me

do not impose upon my grief

do not compare your own circumstances

Do No Be Insensitive

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how could you compare anything

to losing a child

certainly not a dog

Do Not Be Insensitive

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do not say we are kindred spirits

losing a spouse is not the same as losing a child

or losing a friend

Do Not Be Insensitive

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unless that child was your best friend

you know nothing about what you are talking about

losing a child is like losing a part of yourself

Do Not Be Insensitive

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you insinuate I copy ideas

I write from the heart using my own ideas

I don't need your grief, I have enough of my own

Do Not Be Insensitive

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do you even have children of your own

three others wrote comments that were compassionate

please leave me alone from now on

Please, Oh Please Do Not Be Insensitive

And Please Stay Away From Me

Can I Say It Any More Plainly

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sad poetry

About the Creator

Susan Payton

I love to write in every venue. I am 75 years old and try to make every day count,. I am learning a great deal about poetry on Vocal, and I am glad to be here.

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Comments (2)

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  • Lana V Lynxabout 14 hours ago

    I’m sorry you had to write this, Susan. Some people just don’t know how to empathize. But it made a great poem!

  • A. J. Schoenfeldabout 14 hours ago

    This poem is full of so much powerful emotion. I have always cringed whenever anyone uses the phrase "I know just how you feel." Each of our circumstances are different so there is no one person who has gone through the same pain as another. I know your loss is so much deeper than most ever have to endure. I can't imagine the pain of losing a child to a senseless act of violence and then having to hunt down his murderer as you did. You are certainly much stronger than most. I think of your loss often so when I hug my children goodbye, I hold them just a little tighter, a little longer.

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