10/04/2011

  • "Murder"

    As an election approaches
    Words like "sticks and stones" are used
    harming hope
    destroying discussion
    censuring civility
    inflaming fear

    Attacks are made on credibility, on choices made by mere mortals

    Must a leader be more than human?
    Must a public servant be more than the public served?

    If one is unable to protect and provide rightly
    is that reason enough to murder one's reputation
    assassinating their ideas and ideals before family, friends and fellow patriots?
    Does pointing at the brokeness of another make for the wholeness of a nation?

    Forgotten are the problems government has skills to solve
    Human beings helping human beings thrive

    As I look in the mirror with forgiving and compassionate eyes

    Let me also look outward to those who seek to lead
    none of them better or worse at the task than I might be

    Let our votes, not our cruelty,  be the "sticks and stones" we cast
    building from these base things, a bright and safe future
    one that shelters hearts, minds, lives

    Let's use less murderous words.
    Let's leave a different legacy.

    Let our language
    encourage the hopeless
    develop deepened discussions
    calming the fearful
    providing for the vulnerable and
    protecting the hope of children

    19.  A poem entitled “Murder.” ( 4pts)
    34.  A political poem ( 4pts)

    59 pts. + 8 pts. =  67pts. of 150 pts.