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Open Poetry #33
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Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion

0 posted 2004-07-21 04:45 PM



After hearing the war had begun,
I remember twenty people carrying yellow signs
across a long causeway, marching peace from one town
to another.

I thought them brave to be out in the open,
because by then there were already signs
of the erosion of expressionism,
of the dangers of a peaceful viewpoint.

I wondered just when life in America
had slipped back into some warped version
of the 1950’s.

After that, I had a niggling thought
that any group this afraid of contention
must have something to hide.

Mostly, I kept my feelings to myself,
watching as the country moved as one giant herd
toward the edge of a fiery volcano’s maw.
We were one scared country, after all.

When no WMD’s were found,
and when we couldn’t be certain just who
was linked to Al Qaeda,
when films of our dead coming home
were banned from public view,

we collectively believed
it was in the spirit of protecting Country.

On that causeway four years ago, there was an overpass
spilling over with folks waving flags and carrying
signs that read: [i]Support our Troops./[i]

Who do you think supported them more?

[This message has been edited by Corinne (07-22-2004 05:34 PM).]

© Copyright 2004 Corinne - All Rights Reserved
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
1 posted 2004-07-21 04:49 PM


It IS a conundrum...
one I've been pondering on for
several decades now...

Well written, Corrine...

JL
Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128
Texas, USA
2 posted 2004-07-21 06:31 PM


There is always more to the story than politics, or CNN.
Survival will always win-out, no matter who, why, where, or when.
Poetry is not meant to be weakened by heavy doses of politics; it cannot be silenced, ever.  But it too has two sides, as a coin does, or as a double-edged sword.  Words are powerful, and in the hands of the weak-minded, dangerous.
In the hands of the humble, powerful.  In the hands of the arrogant, murder.
3000 Americans were murdered.  When you are injured and you come out swinging, even the innocent, inexorably, will be hurt and mistakes made, but survival is a must.

Enjoyed the read.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

JL


Corinne
Member Ascendant
since 1999-10-28
Posts 5167
state of confusion
3 posted 2004-07-21 06:47 PM


Thank you, Karilea. I usually don't post thoughts along these lines, so contraversial, but right now, I'm feeling like it doesn't matter. If not now, then when? How short life? all that.

Thanks, JL. I knew when I posted this that it might cause some to bristle. Yep, two sides to every story. This is just my side.


Corinne

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
4 posted 2004-07-22 12:31 PM


tough issue

good write

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