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Open Poetry #35
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

0 posted 2005-06-24 08:52 PM



Hey, I got freedom of speech, you know?
The Constitution tells me so!
Anything I want to write
I claim as my God-given right.
No one can give me any lip
Or I will scream out CENSORSHIP!
'Cause I got freedom of speech, you know?
The Constitution tells me so.

Cut off my hands I'll use my toes.
If they decide to cut off those
I'll use my mouth to hold the pen
And write my thoughts down once again.
They come to sew my two lips shut?
I'll shove a pencil up my butt
And wiggle out my words of wit
Even if they smell a bit!

No one can censor what I write
Unless they want a bloody fight.
This man has got the right to choose
Whatever words I want to use
And I demand that you respect
Whatever topic I select
'Cause I got freedom of speech, you know?
The Constitution tells me so.

So I wrote down some verses mean
And sent them to a magazine.
"Print these!", I said, "..and don't delay.
I'll check the pages every day.
Don't try to tell me that you can't
Unless you want to hear me rant
'Cause I got freedom of speech, you know?
The founding fathers tell me so!"

"Yeah, you got freedom of speech", they said
"..and you can have your poems read.
Hand them out as birthday treats,
Pass them out on city streets,
Nail them to poles and trees,
Have them carried by the breeze,
Get a billboard ten feet high
So folks can read them passing by..."

"But these cruel lines will not be seen
By readers of this magazine.
We have the right to pick and choose
Things we'll accept or just refuse.
Write what you want but don't expect
Our owner granting you respect.
We have the right to tell you no
The Constitution tells us so."

So I went to the Daily News,
Screamed, "Print this now and don't refuse!!!"
"I want it on a feature page!!
Don't make me throw a fit of rage.
I buy your paper every day,
The customer should have his way
'Cause I got freedom of speech, you know?
The Constitution tells me so!"

The Daily News called me insane
And said their rules were very plain.
No foul-mouth, racial words of rage
Would ever grace a single page.
Although I have the right to write it
They had the right to not highlight it.
I need to find a way to strip
Them of their rules of censorship!

So then I formed a protest group,
Called up the News, said, "Here's the scoop!
You have to print out our demands
And how we suffer at your hands.
We'll call you all four-letter names
And ridicule your foolish games.
You'll print it all - you have no choice.
The Bill of Rights protects our voice!"

So did they do it? Not a chance.
We got a swift kick in the pants.
It just ain't fair, this travesty
Of constitutionality.
We have the right to write, no doubt,
But we can't make them print it out!!
We only have one final bet,
We'll try it on the internet!!!!

© Copyright 2005 Michael Mack - All Rights Reserved
Seymour Tabin
Member Empyrean
since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
1 posted 2005-06-24 09:06 PM


Balladeer
Only you could write this. You are my hero.

passing shadows
Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
2 posted 2005-06-24 09:13 PM


YES!! Bravo!!

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2005-06-24 09:29 PM


Only you 'Deer....amazing write!!

~Somewhere in my heart I'm always
dancing with you in the summer rain~

Kurai Kumo
Junior Member
since 2005-06-23
Posts 32
Houston, Texas, USA
4 posted 2005-06-24 09:31 PM


Finally someone says it. Good job write more and more!

Be honest to someone's words cause, in the end they will be honest to yours.

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
5 posted 2005-06-24 09:34 PM


There's the burr...


timothysangel1973
Deputy Moderator 5 Tours
Senior Member
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725
Never close enough
6 posted 2005-06-24 09:39 PM


Image hosted by Photobucket.com

I bow to the master

This was awesome Deer

Thanks for sharing

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
7 posted 2005-06-24 10:12 PM


Sy..."friend" is good enough for me.

Thank you, dixie!

Enchantress...What can I say? It's a curse! Thank you!

Kurai..tell my muse! Glad you enjoyed...

Sunshine...you saddled?

Tima...You are always so kind....thank you, m'lady

Alicat
Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094
Coastal Texas
8 posted 2005-06-25 01:09 AM


Classic, Balladeer!  I really enjoyed this tongue-in-cheek pique, which often happens when some learn freedoms aren't free and that rights have consequences.  I absolutely love the look on their faces when realization dawns.

Well done, and a sardonic fun read!

Marsha
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423
Maidstone Kent England
9 posted 2005-06-25 07:25 AM


'Deer darling man, OH wow, now that is just classic Balladeer, and I loved it, absolutely loved it. I only popped in to see something in the archives, and what do I find? YOU, gracing the page with a prize gem, truly magnificent.

The only thing wrong with living in the country is that you have to take your chance on getting access to the Internet so I can read delight, otherwise its almost delightful.

Anyway thanks for enlivening my morning, this is purr-fect pleasure

Love and warm mushy stuff
as always
Mushy
loveya:


Tomorrow is another day I don't know what it holds
but I can face the future with courage brave and bold

Footprints In My Heart
Kethry

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
10 posted 2005-06-25 07:56 AM


As they said, only you could have written this.You are one terrific word master. your fan, martyjo
nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
11 posted 2005-06-25 08:07 AM


  so true  Michael...and an absolutely "You Write"  like no one else can

and thanks for the smile
M

MARK V SHELDON
Member Elite
since 2001-06-21
Posts 3015
In a corporeal internship...
12 posted 2005-06-25 09:36 AM


A masterful ironic satire, but would we really have it any other way...?  Here's to speaking one's mind but remaining respectful to others...  Good to read you again.

-MVS

You CAN make a difference, but first you should learn how: http://educate-yourself.org/intro.shtml

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
13 posted 2005-06-25 11:01 AM


Deer, I admire yer balls, 'n spunk, 'n wit, 'n tenacity, 'n forthrightness, 'n yer speakin' freely, yer talent ~ and yer sense of hoomah! You rock! ~ and so does this poem!



Thank you for ticklin' my bone of funny!

Hugs with love,
Linda

Titia Geertman
Member Ascendant
since 2001-05-07
Posts 5182
Netherlands
14 posted 2005-06-25 08:20 PM


All that's written above dear lad
Could've only been written by you I said
Your humor and your sparkling wit
Enlighten my days I must admit
And just before I hit the sack
You made me smiling big dear Mack
I'm proud to've known you in the flesh
You've caused my memories to refresh
It's been three years since then my friend
Time is flying, don't know where it went
But the get-to-gether in Florida's sun
I'll never forget the laughs and fun
Made friends for life, I'm sure of that
I count you one, dear Balladeer lad
I hope you'll never stop writing your rhyme
And that we all meet again some time

Titia

Like scattered leaves...my words will flow

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
15 posted 2005-06-25 08:44 PM


Alicat...thank you! Since our senses of humor sprout from the same plant, if you like it I done good!

MUSHY!!! As I live and breathe heavily,,,you're back!!!

Marty Jo...thank you for that high praise

Maureen..a smile makes your face a sight to behold. Glad I could supply one...

MARK...really good to see you here again. Thanks for picking out the important part of the poem..

Earth Angel...I've waited so very long for someone to admire my hoomah! My prayers have been answered

Titia...friends for life indeed...and you can bet your last knuffel we'll do it all again or my name ain't....hopeful! Thank you, my dutchie


JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
16 posted 2005-06-26 12:49 PM


Nice writing...James
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
17 posted 2005-06-26 12:55 PM


Bravo, Balladeer!  Need to start a blog!  
suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
18 posted 2005-06-27 09:37 AM


I get your point and I agree
But there's one thing I'd love to see -
That wiggled wit must be some show...
Please tell us that there's video????

LeeJ
Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296

19 posted 2005-06-27 10:10 AM




No one can censor what I write
Unless they want a bloody fight.
This man has got the right to choose
Whatever words I want to use
And I demand that you respect
Whatever topic I select
'Cause I got freedom of speech, you know?
The Constitution tells me so.


YOU GO!  and thank you for the pick me up right...hehe

Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
20 posted 2005-06-27 10:33 AM


Enjoyed this one.

Nan (Pilgrim variety)

Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
21 posted 2005-06-27 11:45 PM


James....I thank you.

Iliana...I can see it now - The Blog of Balladeer!

suthern... A video? Well, I can see
.          just where your thoughts are going.
.          Actually, i DO have one
.          If you'd like a private showing!

Lee J...my pleasure!

Thank you, Nan!

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
22 posted 2010-01-30 11:05 PM


I chose the archive word of the day as "select"....

and this was one of them.

Write on!

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