build a wall, brick by brick
lay firm foundations
make each brick stick
over crimson clay
slather thick cement
leave not a crack
seal every chink
concentrate, visualise
this wall surrounds
a great oak door
close it tightly
turn the key
safe inside
you can’t
reach
me
locked within
my fortress
you can’t
hurt
me
anymore
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Image credit: Photomix company @ Pixabay
Written in response to Sadje‘s What Do You See #108 photo prompt
luna's on line 
I am giving you a standing ovation here Chris….love this..
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much, Mich! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am applauding too, Chris. Stunning imagery…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Anita… and thanks for sharing! 😊
LikeLike
Reblogged this on anitadawesauthor.com.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic take Chris. I agree with Mich, standing ovation is very much deserved. Thanks for joining in
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Sadje! Great prompt 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always my pleasure! Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Mind Block — luna’s on line […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Keepitalive
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Sadje! 🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve certainly ran that one to the finish line. Great work 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Deb! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing 🙂
LikeLike
I agree with Mich. Wonderful take, Chris!😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jane! 😁😊
LikeLike
Most welcome, Chris! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
The formation of the poem looks a a key, is that intentional?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t claim that it was, Cass, in fact I hadn’t noticed that. I was aiming for a representation of closing ones mind to the bully/abuser who’s messing with a person’s head.
LikeLike
Thanks for clarifying. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very thoughtful imagery here – powerful stuff, Chris! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Tom! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder that there is a person who doesn’t identify, Chris.
Excellent.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Denise. I imagine most people have experienced some form of cruelty from another person at some point in their lives.
LikeLike
This is an interesting poem, Chris. It makes me wonder what is behind its writing and whether the need to disbar the world is physical or emotional.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Robbie. I was coming from the angle of emotional/mental cruelty from another person, although it could apply much more widely.
LikeLike
Thanks, Robbie. I was coming from an angle of mental / emotional abuse from another person, although the words could apply to other situations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it could be either and I just wondered. I interpreted it in a physical way probably because of our home invasion…
LikeLiked by 1 person
That must’ve been really scary, Robbie, and difficult to get over, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good work! I really liked the poem and the title really changes the interpretation of it. That’s great things about the right title. Awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Benjamin! It took me almost as long to come up with the title as to write the poem. It was important to me to show that it was a mental barrier that my victim was trying to build.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome! That’s interesting. I think one of the most important thing for other writers is to know how others write. It gives us help in breaking down the mental barriers of writing, makes it feel less solitary. Sometimes the title comes first and sometimes last. You picked out an effective one, where it becomes part of the work and expands on it. Nicely done! Love reading our thoughts! Have a great day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree, it is interesting to find out how other writers work. We have a common struggle and a common bond, pulling words apart and putting them together again.
Wishing you a wonderful rest of the day, Benjamin! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love how you state this. Nice to read your thoughts!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very apt commentary for life in these troubled times.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think many of us have been trying to build protective walls around ourselves, Liz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For sure. And the hits just keep on coming . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Michelle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
hate of then and now
and how!
beat me up and in turn them
made a list kissed them with my fists
and went about the solo act
a one man
band
knee jerk
and all
tete
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘…kissed them with my fists…’ I like that phrase!
LikeLike
i did too . whaaack!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a profound piece of writing Chris. Kudos 👏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Radhika. 😊
LikeLike
Your formatting looks like an exclamation mark, to me, Chris… the final “Get out, stay out!” one.
I’ve been in that position in the past, needing to put up walls and big oak doors around me, more so in school days, but on the odd occasion since leaving. I don’t know why some people feel the need to be like that, probably a power thing, but bullying shows great power, does it not? 🙄
Still, karma will catch up with them.
Nicely written, Chris, and I apologise for using this comment to vent some venom! 😡 (is that even a phrase?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’re right about the power thing, Tom. My piece does relate to a personal experience, one not so long ago, though thankfully past. I remember building that wall in my head, brick by brick. I like ‘vent some venom’ – a fabulous phrase!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hehehe! I couldn’t find the right words, so went with that phrase! 😊
I’m pleased your experience is now in the past. It’s a horrible feeling to be caught up in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Although it was awful at the time, I’ve added it to my lexicon of experiences to drawn on when writing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Reena!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful write, Chris! From falling of the wall two weeks ago to building walls, you covered it all. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Punam. I hadn’t thought of it like that! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Strength and determination, straight to the point. Sadly, too many can do nothing but accept and give in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, a sad fact, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Chris……….. this packs a punch at the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Di!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice poem chris! I enjoyed it very much! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carol anne 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was engaging and I could relate so well. Loved the rhymes (end and internal). No matter the walls someone is trying to find the chink in the defenses!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Val. I’m pleased it was meaningful for you. We just have to keep rebuilding and reinforcing.
LikeLike
Awesome take and poem, Chris!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Jeff!
LikeLike
Intense write … well done
Have a good week …. Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Isadora! You too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Excellent piece, Chris!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Eugenia!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Chris!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How good is that ❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Gary!
LikeLike
Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Debra!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Mind Block […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
[…] Chris Hall; Mind block […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a profound justice and relief when one can escape a bad situation.
Sometimes if only in the mind. But having a safe stucture to retreat to can make the difference of living life or simply existing by another persons’ rules.
I join the many in offering you praise for you verse. Well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jules! Building the image of a wall in my mind was my way of escaping the oppression of someone else’s mind games.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we all have to put up with some mind games… some aren’t any fun at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Powerful poem and imagery, Chris. The wall of words creating distance and protection from the attack of others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, that one came from the gut!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooo, I love your visual look with this poem! I think we all turn those keys at some point. We just need to remember to open that door to others, too. x You’re going to be AMAZING in 2022, my friend! xxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Jean! You’re right, we do need to make room for others to enter. I am so touched my your encouragement. You are truly an AWESOME friend, reader, writer, podcaster… Here’s to a wonderful 2022 for us all! (Still playing catch up over at your place – hi to Blondie, too).
LikeLiked by 1 person
You just gave me a big hug with words, Chris. THANK YOU! I needed that today! xxxxxxxxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anytime, my friend! 🤗🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person