Blessings and Curses by Mark Rickerby at All poetry

By me, right now

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dp robertson
May 1, 2006
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I agree with the principle of this and see what you are driving at- but that line alone – there can never bee too much freedom in a religious, art and generally philosophical thinking. So while such freedoms would appear to impede us, they have also advanced humans and we have all benefited as much as having suffered by aberrant thinking that seeks to decimate ways of life. However, this way of life we enjoy to day has only been made available though the destruction of native cultures and the flip side to the biblical and western thinking is soaked in blood and destruction of those who have not thought the same way. It is a good piece for what it is saying- but there can never be enough freedom in thought nor religion.

david

Live Well
April 28, 2006
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Lovely

Woo-hoo!!! Beautiful! The flow was increadibly close to perfect, and yet you kept your idea true and pure without forced words or free verse. Simply lovely, I really enjoyed it. Not to mention the fact that the idea stated here rings so true. Keep writing, and don't stop thinking.

Live well.

Whispering Winds
April 25, 2006
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Greatly Written and Said

Dearest Mark,

Everything that you have said here is so true.
So many people have lost many friends due to freedom of speech. The part they forget is to thinking before you speak. What you might say can hurt yourself, or others.
I really feel that there are a lot of people on this site, and here at home that really need to read this as a little reminder. Yeah we have the freedom, but many dont have the ability to use it wisely.

Thanks for sharing this with us hun.

As always, I love reading you.
Much love always,

Tammy

sanmdr
April 20, 2006
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Re. speech .. agree with .. Robin candor's quote .. in such hurting situations .. it really better to assume your friends as strangers .. to elude the pain ..
but my reply was about frank expression with understanding .. not about intentional hurting or mocking ..

Re. expression .. as children we have role models , outer impressions captures our attraction, we are not able to differentiate good or bad ..
but as we grow .. we learn to grasp good aspects of such role models and avoid the bad aspects.. so we neccessaily dont have to be spoiled by role models.. for they too are human ..
I was talking about freedom of expression in general, as of adults..
freedom of expression can be restricted or revised as of not to affect kids mentality.. unless to convey truth in a subtle manner.

Re. Religion .. agree very much .. freedom of religion .. is personal choice .. be it any kind of religion it should only enhance peace and civilization of mankind .. not hatred or insensitive discrimination..

Mark Rickerby

April 20, 2006
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zanmdr,

Very true. There are many ways to view these issues.

Re. speech, as Robin Candor so eloquently put it above, "The injury coming from a stranger is not nearly as painful" as hurtful words from a friend, because they know us more deeply.

Re. expression, I was thinking of all the lowlife productions that Hollywood keeps churning out. Bob Dole was right when he said, "Movies have become a nightmare of depravity and violence." Add porno, some of which simulates violence toward women and child molestation, "shock jocks" like Howard Stern who have no respect whatsoever for human dignity, and talk shows that show us the lowest possible level of human behavior, and it's no wonder some people in this world think America is the "Great Satan" and needs to be destroyed. In places where people have never visited America and will probably never meet an American, TV, rap music, etc., is all they'll see of America, and assume that's what the whole country is about.

Aside from outer impressions, all the crap we see every day that passes for art is where children find their role models. When I was ten, I wanted to be "Fonzie" and ever wore a t-shirt with him on it. The worst that character could be accused of is being a womanizer (which I later became, ironically, until I realized you have to be a jerk and a liar to be a "player"). Some of the role models kids have today advocate killing over drugs, drug turf, and gang affiliation. Things just keep getting uglier, and when anyone says, "Hey, come on! Enough is enough!", the attorneys wrap themselves up in the First Amendment, as if freedom of expression is always healthy for society. A line needs to be drawn because some adults are like spoiled children who need a good spanking, but nobody wants censorship, including me. It's a big catch-22, perhaps the biggest.

Re. religion - merely criticizing the wisdom of certain passages of a religious text is enough to get you killed. There isn't a more sensitive subject to most people. More killing has been done in the name of religion throughout the ages than all wars combined. Hatred is easy to identify because it is rarely backed up by facts. It's usually just some uneducated reprobate saying, "There's something wrong with them people! They smell funny!" But most people defend their religions blindly as soon as anyone says anything criticial like football fans defend their favorite team. And since everyone is so determined to never alter the words of superstitious, comparatively ignorant men who wrote them thousands of years ago, religions can also prevent the humanistic growth that should occur as people become less superstitous and more civilized. If religions weren't supposed to evolve along with human consciousness, the Greeks would still be sacrificing virgins to please Zeus.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Mark

Upkeep
April 20, 2006
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thoughtful, brave

Last line; to die for. Ironic as it sounds. (:

the-darkest-white
April 20, 2006
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SUPER DUPER

i agree with what you are saying, if i knew you i would pat you on the back, i think however that when freedom is used correctly it is a postive power.
Edited on Apr 20, 1:33 p.m. because 'spelling'.

Yvette Champ

April 20, 2006
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Mark,apologies,thought this was a new write,clicked but had already commented.Tried to applaud but am not allowed as I applauded last time.Sorry,would rather admit my folly than just click and close.Best Wishes,LadyJayne.

sanmdr
April 20, 2006
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first stannza .. being frank can renew friendship and better understanding .. not being frank could be more of a formal of fake friendship ..

second stanza.. freedom of expression is important .. unless others privacy is intruded for hatred or vile motive..

third stanza .. freedom of religion in important .. tolerance and respect towards others relgion doesnt divide millions , but hatred does ..

good write though .. in insightful words .. to understand different perspectives..

TLRufener
April 20, 2006
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I have to agree with you here. Too much freedom IS tearing the world apart. I really liked the truth in the first stanza.

poeticweaver

April 20, 2006
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BRAVO~

Damn, you sure said a mouth full here, and then some more..lol..You have inscribed a truthful piece here my friend, and it should hit the heart and homes of many. For everywhere ya go, it's the same old song...So sad is it not, to know there's rarely ever a win win situation. I sure find it heart-breaking, and truly disturbing, but you know what I'm going to do about it, nothing, lol...Just thought I'd make ya think I was going to say something full of wisdom, but once again, I'm all fresh out..lol.. This piece rocks, pen on poetic brother!

-Timothy The Poetic Weaver~

Mary Nagy
April 20, 2006
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I really enjoyed this poem. Obviously by the comments, you know this poem may strike some people into a debate...which I guess is perhaps your point. I don't know the answers but I absolutely love to see when people ponder the questions! Great job! Sincerely, Mary

noir eclairage
April 20, 2006
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Unbelievably true. And thats sad isnt it. Thought provoking write here. Great job.
~noir

~

d a f f o d i l
April 20, 2006
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I genuinely like this piece Mark..I think people have misntepreted your thoughts regarding the religous columns that sparked debate...i feel that although there is freedom of speech..something that deliberatly hurts another or offends them is wrong..even though that can be controversial..Like there are laws and things regarding blaspemy and race hate so technically we do not really have freedom of speech..and i do feel there is a time and a place and censorship does need a role...Thats just me...I feel if people are able to express their beliefs without bashing then so be it...I do feel we are often repressed and our thoughts manipulted by what we can and cannot say...

Fern

Robin Candor
April 20, 2006
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The few words invite the many. Everyone has a take on your piece without just stopping by yawning and collecting their points from your campaign. That is always a success. We are each aware that this rock we twirl about on isn't going to change much no matter what we say, so I never perceived you were doing anything other than making an observation or two from a mind has lived long enough to actually understand the problems. Having read all the comments it is as if the camera swirled around your poem from every angel possible catching the thing in 3D. "ITS ALIVE!" This text is one you should definetly hang on to. The one statement that I did not agree with was the comment that real friends won't turn on you when you tell them the truth. That's absurd. Proverbs states that the wounds of a friend are a good thing, but they are still wounds. Anywhere there are wounds the opportunity for ego to rise up is heightened. The injury coming from a stranger is not nearly as painful. RC

Mark Rickerby

April 20, 2006
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Sorry to hear you lost your brother, Kaycee. Thanks for your kind words.

Mark

Mark Rickerby

April 20, 2006
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Inkwell,

I may have overstated things in that first line for the sake of dramatic irony, but it's true. There are few things people are more defensive about and more willing to do violence in the name of than religion.

Thanks,

M

comet of 1989
April 20, 2006
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Bravo

"But dare to question the wisdom of the devoted
And you may sow the seed of the next holy war."
well said - BRAVO!
I totally agree with what you are expressing in this write. you have a lot of talent

X Tragedy X

NoWayJo
April 20, 2006
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it's a poem of which the very words speak so much more than is first read, Mark and entail everything from one-on-one/person-to-person to national and even worldwide implications. I don't think it's necessarily a matter of "too much freedom," but "too little tolerance and understanding," and somehow for me your poem seemed to speak of this ironically.

good writing, Mark...and I really appreciated the read!

Jo

YellowRoseofTexas
April 20, 2006
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Poignant

I thank the Military Personnel for giving me the freedom to speak and write what I feel. I lost a brother in Vietnam and I applaud you for this work and bringing back the first amendment to the United States Constitution.

Ink Shadow
April 20, 2006
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Too much freedom is tearing the world apart.<< potent statement. Yes I agree freedom of religious worship may be a blessing and a curse...but last stanza is little bit didactic don't you think!

D

Tithra
April 20, 2006
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Very controversial, yet very true. You bring up a lot of good questions here. Where do we draw the line? At what price does peace come?

ocerus
April 20, 2006
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Oy! A poem that is both funny, wise, AND accurate! Good job, dude!

Poet-treeman
April 19, 2006
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When Jesus was asked, "What is Truth?" he had the wisdom to not respond. It is often that we 'really' do not want to hear the truth; but only a reflection of our own preconceived notions or beliefs. I think you raise very interesting thoughts in this work. P.S. Love the graphics. Really fits.
Edited on Apr 19, 10:33 p.m. because ''.

Mark Rickerby

April 18, 2006
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Val,

I don't think comparing humans to animals is an accurate analogy because animals don't kill each other for religious reasons, sadism, fun, or profit. They kill each other only because they need to eat. They also don't have anywhere near our intellectual capacity. It is our frontal lobe that separates us from the beasts, and I think we should use it to discuss matters that are important to the collective growth of humanity and to hopefully improve human rights in the world. I'm not trying to change anyone. I'm just speaking my mind. I gave up on trying to change people a long time ago. The best anyone can hope for is to plant a good seed or two.

If you saw a man beating a woman to death, would you try to stop him? Would you argue with him if he said she deserves it? Then by having an opinion, by your reasoning, you would be trying to change him, even though all you were doing is saying what you believe. What he does with the information, or doesn't do with it, is his choice, not yours. Likewise, it is the responsibility of every human being to protest, and fight if necessary, human rights abuses wherever they exist. There is no virtue in ignoring the suffering of others, and I can't "live harmoniously" with evil men because of the great gulf of character that yawns between us, and because, as the old saying goes, "When any man suffers, it diminishes me, because I am a part of mankind."

Thanks,

Mark

sad-but-true
April 18, 2006
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Ok another thought provoking poem. I must be "honest" though. I feel that if each to thier own and we live by the truth of oneself and believe that we as a person cannot change the outside world. Then why fight the outside world and just be content with who we are as a person. We as humans think that we can change anyone or anything into thinking the exact same way and doing the exact same thing. Take a look at animals, they are who they are and can not and do not try to change. They are of peaceful creatures living from day to day, some more aggressive than others but yet they live together harmoneously without the constant antaganizing of one another to be the same. We are individauls and should remain so. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion does not give us the "freedom" to change someone else. Be true to yourself and and change no-one but yourself for when you become perfect then and only then can you change someone to be better. Nice poem, sorry for the rant. Hugs

~val~

Mark Rickerby

April 18, 2006
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Okay, okay! I'm a long-winded SOB. I got the message! haha

Thanks,

Mark

Invisible Comfort
April 18, 2006
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wow, for once I think you have comments longer than your poem

X

heismysong
April 18, 2006
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Haha.. well, actually, I guess it's not that funny. Kinda sad, really. Believe it or not, I had a falling out with my own sister, because we disagree on something.

But, I wouldn't leave you lying dead on the floor!

I like the picture.

Nice.

fadeinonme
April 18, 2006
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You can end up dead on the floor merely by saying the wrong thing to anyone.
not just religious followers/figures/etc. Dead on the floor in this way could be more of a metaphor, in a way...

left on the floor, helpless, reaching out for help...wishing for the world to be right.

Either way...great write.

--Five ~ Worthless Poet

haikumonk

April 18, 2006
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Freedom itself seems to be a mix of blessing and curse. But it beats most of the alternatives. Indeed, you might end up dead if you argue with the wrong religious person... it never ceases to amaze me how quickly a conversation regarding religion can deterioate into chaos and rudeness by some.......... in particular, Afganistan! lol If you don't follow their way, you die for sure and condemned to do so by some biased personality flawed court.

Monk

Yvette Champ

April 18, 2006
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Dear Mark, a well written write , imbued with philosophy.The accomanying picture of the three monkeys was philosophical too.Hear no evil,see no evil, speak no evil the monkeys,bless them,remind us.Your write explains that honesty is painful,which it may be.Herein also questions the right to believe and the devastation that may cause.My philosophy is simple.I respect every other belief, wether it be about religion or anything else, so long as that belief hurts neither the person with the belief or anyone anyone else in the name of that belief.This way I do not argue with friends of different faiths but we respect each others beliefs.If only the whole world could do the same.Also, the trouble with honesty is everyone has a different perception of it.For instance Clinton making a speech in his most sincere fashion and declaring honestly "I did not have sexual relations with Monica K " As usual dear poet and author, a thought provoking write by your talented self and well worth sharing,love and light,Yvette

Ankeeta

April 18, 2006
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Perfect!...Just in your first stanza when you say about losing friends. I doubt whether you should the word "friend" or rather replace it with colleagues/peers unless you need a perfect rhyme lol...what I mean is your supporters humm around you till you watch them quietly as to what they do. Friends do not have ego when someone else oppose them...if they are wrong they try to be honest by rectifying themselves and if they are right they are humble enough to put their thoughts across the other person's mind in a calm way
In second stanza, yes when there is a misuse of freedom of expression, especially in a democratic country where people puke whatever they feel like
Freedom of religion is both blessing and curse
For faith unites some yet divides millions more
yes faith unites "some" and they form smaller groups of their own set of rules and rituals this millions of such small units divides the whole mass. The best example is India ( caste systen within one religion). For an oustider am just a hindu but then further am catergorised as a maharashtrian that's because I belong from the state of maharashtra and hence my mother tongue is marathi later we are categorised as kshatriyas those were the fighter groups in ancient india and finally as CKP I don't even know whats that about

as am least interested in these..but I have about these strings when my parents pop out such topics during ocassions and so on
yes, the last two lines excellent...this always happens with me and my parents whenever I question them about our religion, caste or anything that of hindu culture and when they dont have answer ...that's when a huge war blows offf

nice work here Marc

Ankita

Edited on Apr 18, 10:03 because ''.

Georgette
April 18, 2006
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Very true, very true, especially the line;
'Freedom of religion is both blessing and curse',
as an athiest I perhaps read it differently than it was intended, that instead of being free to choose religion I see it as being free from religion, as I feel I am. It's easy to be an athiest in ways - I don't get cross at any God, or feel dependent on God, but then I'd like to have religion sometimes to have a faith in life after death, or a faith in a person who would always be there for me. So that line rings very true.

Loved the poem,
Bella

Marissa Ann Scott
April 18, 2006
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weeeeeeeyyyyy! okie dokie!
Hm. Well many others have likled dead Mark, in history, for the same thing. Funny isn't it, that historians question religion all the time under the banner of "historical accuracy" and in our colleges and high school we buy thier books and use it to teach everyone the truth. lol... we don't condemn the historians for questionin!

i guess it just goes to show ya how "smart" ppl really are and how much we all think.

Ppl don't realise that God encourages us to question. He tells us to seek after "wisdom". Wisdom doesn't drop from the sky. It comes from questioning. Faith is being able to accept the answer to the question. (esp. When it wasn't the one we were expecting.)

hugz to ya for this one! Very astute observations my friend. U do realise that ur a modern day scribe right?

Marissa.

Blessings and Curses

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Lovely

Greatly Written and Said

thoughtful, brave

SUPER DUPER

BRAVO~

Bravo

Poignant

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