This poem's stage is set in the space of a fighting couple, its subject is the struggle of love in conflict, and its lesson is what can benefit and prevent these scenarios. The bear and lion represent two powerful creatures (and personality types) in defenses-raised beast mode, seeking to either be right, have their needs met, or not be harmed any further.
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This poet's note started as brief thoughts behind the poem and turned into a persuasive essay on loving in times of conflict as a way forward, which I then divided into two parts. Enjoy.
Poet's note on "Inside the wounded lair": Part 1
There are times in relationships where couples become oblivious to the pain they're causing. Before, during, or after fights... it can be easy to miss actions that are harmful or hurtful to your partner's life or mental state.
Sadly, this happens. Perhaps even more sad is when the inflicted pain is intentional because a partner cares much less for the other's happiness due to disrespect (or perceived disrespect) they've received.
The good news though, is that with enough love and acceptance for who your partner is... it doesn't have to stay that way. The only things you can completely control in this scenario, or any scenario, are yourself and what you do. You can choose the path of destruction or construction, combativeness or moving forward, being right or being happy.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King Jr.
If two species (or types of people) can accept and love each other for who they are, a solution is possible. It starts here because love is the only constructive way forward, and the only way to truly love someone in the present is to love them for where they're at.
It doesn't matter how different two people may be. It doesn't matter how much what they did is just their personality or how much you did is just yours personality. If any love exists in the relationship there are ways to be who we are in more compassionate, respectful, and kind ways.
Efforts of compassion can encourage positive change by fostering an environment of both love and respect. Appreciating or loving your parter for what they do right instead of berating or constantly bringing up what's wrong is much more conducive to this environment unless things are VERY wrong.
Obviously, limits should be set either when someone won't stop harming you or their actions/traits that cannot be accepted short OR longterm. Distance or ending the relationship can be best for both parties in that scenario.
In whatever scenario arises, how much we love on those around us through our words, thoughts, and deeds will determine the quality of relationships we have. That is to say our words and deeds (choices we make) directly affect the quality of our relationships, and our thoughts are catalysts to our words and actions.
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(You can find the second part of this poet's note on this account, tomorrow at 1pm EST)
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