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Open Poetry #48
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Did You?
| Open Poetry #48 |
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Did You? |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California 
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Did You? Did you stand still to watch the towers burn? Did you blink to see them fall? Did you wait in line to take a turn And claim your piece of Berlin's wall? Did you try to flip that house last year – Take advantage of some fools? Did you sit through church with silent leer At invisible manacles? Did you sing along to the national anthem? Or did you just mouth the words? All the while preparing to throw a great tantrum If even one person questioned what they heard. When you were holding the love of your life, Did you think you could do better? More of a soul mate than a wife... Did you think that you would forget her? Did you stare at your own reflection In that granite wall at Arlington? Did you buy into the misconception That this war, too, could be won? Did you even take note of one name Before you turned your head? Or did you walk freely from the silent shame Of fifty thousand dead? Did you dot all "I's"? Did you cross all "T's"? Did you uphold all civil law? But deny that vagrant, ridden with disease, Spare change because no one else saw? Did you gawk to see the Challenger explode? Did you cheer to see the shuttles dismantled? Did you deem this a more practical mode? A human race steered about just like cattle! Did you even notice the Socialists coup? Or were you too busy branding it fair? Did you believe Obama was thinking of you, For all that the devil may care? It's not the devil you know, after all, But the devil that you vote for... And whether they hide it or proclaim it before all, Each is deeply pledged unto their own war! And did you live your life from the back seat – Emotion stuffed behind that self-built wall? When you walked by that puddle of blood in the street, Did you not feel a thing at all? Or were you chasing down dreams, making them all come true, Running over anyone else who stood in the way? Did you think this poem was written for you? If you did, well just what did it say? Michael Anderson 6/30/2012 Did I waste it? Not so much I couldn't taste it. Bono [This message has been edited by Michael (07-01-2012 01:13 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2012 Michael Anderson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
A lot of questions, all except one I won't answer. Yes, I noticed the Socialists coo and I know Hussein wasn't thinking of me. Okay. That's two I answered. ~*~ If they give you lined paper, write sideways. ~*~ [This message has been edited by JerryPat2 (06-30-2012 06:55 PM).] |
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Startime1955 Senior Member
since 2012-04-22
Posts 1072Alberta, Canada |
Oh my gosh...I read this 3 times and each time it spoke louder...a world filled with such hate and no sence of guilt...This poem is very powerful and true...*BIG HUGS* *may our dreams ever be magical* |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
wow |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
So much food for thought, dear Michael, in this powerful poetic work. Unless we break all the walls down, unless we awaken to love and respect for each other, we won't find the right way to exist and prosper and grow in this troubled world. And you are ever so right ... it always begins with us. Excellent. Margherita |
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Honeybunch Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-29
Posts 7115South Africa |
Well done, Michael! There's not much thought or compassion in the world today but, of course, what's happening today has already been foretold. Knowing that brings a certain amount of peace in a trouble-filled world. Helen |
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luminosity Senior Member
since 2005-11-18
Posts 813 |
well done, i wrote one in this vain, but not so indepth as this.....deep thinking worded perfectly |
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ethome Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858New Brunswick Canada |
He he love that last verse. I guess it said to me that there's a lot of people out there giving the important things simply lip service and not much else. In a lecture at the University of Notre Dame, U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman described the morals of our time as a “values vacuum, . . . where traditional ideas of right and wrong have been gradually worn away.” According to Lieberman, this phenomenon “has been brewing for the better part of two generations.” So, I almost get where you're coming from, but then like many other people I remain confused on some issues in this turbulent old world we live in. Having said that, it makes this poem of yours a great stimulator of self examination and I enjoyed the read very much. Eric true love never looks after it's own interests |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You made me go look up an old one of mine called Involved - a bit on the same line but not nearly as powerful as your words - no surprise there at all! LOL Several of your verses affect me profoundly and leave tears, in part because my responses to such moments and situations are turning points in my life and psyche... but every verse asks questions we should be able to answer... and hope our answers do not shame us. Brilliant write! |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
Well Michael, here's the short version. This poem explores, (better said gets in your face) and reveals decisions of condoning, participating, or just witnessing human behavior. I would like to hear this read by everyone attending all sports events, like the National Anthem. Like a prophet, holding all accountable, is how I see this poem and you. Before you say "it", (I'm not good enough) most prophets had challenges too, yet, are still remembered! So there! Masterful! Ms. E [This message has been edited by ebonygirl (07-02-2012 12:34 PM).] |
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2dalimit Member Elite
since 2000-02-08
Posts 2228Mississippi coast |
One of your best. It is saved in my collection. Thanks for the excellent read. -Melton- |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
JP, lol... on "Hussein" Yeah, I stook my elbows out a bit on this little rant, hopefully most the replies will be as tactful as yours. Startime1955, Dixie, thank you... I'm glad you enjoyed. Margherita, Yup! Until humanity becomes part of the human equation, we are destined to deprive ourselves unequivocally of any true greatness we, as humans, might otherwise encompass. Honeybunch, Indeed, it does.  luminosity, thank you... and I'd love to see your writing on this topic. Eric, "values vacuum"... I like that. Glad to have stimulated your thinking. I think of this stuff more often than I'd like to admit... but sadly, have adopted a defeatists attitude for it much of the time. Ruth, I would like to see your "Involved" poem as well. Yeah, I think there is a lot of shaming going on in this poem, now that your brought the word up. It's ashamed I couldn't have brought my point across without reverting to that. Ms. E, that is a very high compliment. I thank you... and hope I don't come to disappoint that opinion. Melton, thank you so much, sir. I'm glad you enjoyed. Michael |
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Marchmadness Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271So. El Monte, California |
Powerful write, Michael. I can see a lot of thought went into this one. Ida |
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Prasad Nataraj Senior Member
since 2008-05-29
Posts 1149Bangalore,India |
"Running over anyone else who stood in the way?" very much what happens in corporate world. Your whole poems question's the true conscience. Fine writing, Michael. "The secret behind survival of mankind is kindness and love within our hearts" |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You wrote this one for all of us tramping around on this blue planet, Michael. Be proud.  |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Ida, yeah... a lot of emotion wrapped up into this one. I thought much longer and harder on deciding if I would actually post it than I did writing it, though. Glad I did now. Prasad Nataraj, Yeah corporate is the most distasteful 4 letter word I know. K., yeah sometimes it gets a little crowded down here. No better cure for that than sticking the elbows out a little. Thank you all for the kind replies. Michael |
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