Subt(l)e Differences We All Know

There's guilt and then there's, "guilt"... we all know the difference, even if we don't want to admit it. just as there's caring and then there's, "caring"

Subtle, slight and I almost forgot when writing, that subtle has an l between the t and the e. Irrelevant? Maybe, but I find it interesting, nonetheless.

There's love and then there's, "love"... we are all capable of one or the other, some even both. Make sure you know which one you feel for those most important to you.

There's subtle and then there's, "slight to the point it barely even registers as anything"

If you have to dig too deeply for the underlying reason, you start to wonder if the words are just face value with no skin deep

“How are you?” at face value is “How are you?” But… we all know the difference, even if we don't want to pick up on it.

“How are you?” (Oh, I don't really mean that, please just tell me you're okay so we can move on from this charade sham counterintuitive play-by-play of "how to make small talk small")

we all know the difference, even if we'd rather forget it

When did the spoken, and so often, written (yes, your shorthand WhatsApp, social media and text messages count) language become saturated with placeholder text like "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet"

I guess we must, because of obligation, as disingenuous as it may be interpreted, whether we mean it that way or not.

I opened a file today, a simple notepad file and read the words "resent the reliance, repugnant resilience" and then another with the words "Gliding through on gilded platforms, breezing down an easy life's avenues."

Snapshots, killer lines, all hook no filler, with no direction home.

“Resent the reliance, repugnant resilience” was to give birth to a dichotomous ode and damnation of Sertraline and how the dark spots continue to fight back

“Gliding through on gilded platforms, breezing down an easy life's avenues” was an unused opener for a character who had led an easier life than most, due to happenstance and never pushing themselves out there.

Remove the content from the context, subtle (remember the l) as subtle the rendering of the subtext becomes.

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Thanks for reading!

Author's Notes: I was delighted to see two new challenges, the first is Unreliable (concerning one of my favourite narrative styles - unreliable narrator and including a shout-out to myself, Mackenzie Davis and Bridget Couture for the idea (thanks Vocal). I have a few stories that I have already put forward for it and some more I need to search out, but rest assured there will definitely be one or two Paul Stewart originals for that one. I am excited to see what others come up with too.

The Unfiltered challenge concerns my favourite poetry format/style - Stream of Consciousness. I have, as many people will know, be aware of and the like, written many in this style and it has now become my go-to when I have no other format I am following. It's also a great way to get the juices flowing to write. I may write a little on that at a later date.

Needless to say I have put quite a number of past pieces forward, but will be writing new ones as well. This is my first completely new entry.

Here is another couple you might enjoy: