To think,
When a citizens hand brings intrusion then death,
this is murder.
When a government invades and kills 900,000 people,
this is called patriotism,
and the patriotism number rises.
People in protest are imprisoned and beaten,
in the name of disturbing the peace.
Well, there is no peace,
But we stand disturbed and we must learn,
-to disobey-
Because those we oppose are engaged in a war,
-the great crime of our age-
Involved in a lie wrapped in a charade.
Masquerading as an answer,
While the question is a lie.
Our perceptions are produced, manufactured, controlled.
-Bottom line-
Our lives consist of little more,
than preforming and thinking as were told.
I will not be passive, I will be heard.
Their lies are undeniable.
To think,
People are troubled by civil disobedience.
Mentioning those words arouses troubled brows.
This is the very purpose of civil disobedience.
To upset the people,
to trouble them,
to disturb them.
We who commit civil disobedience are disturbed too,
and we mean to disturb those who are in charge of a war.
Because we stand in peace.
Ready to uphold,
The true nature of our humanity,
creating this country.
Because we stand in peace, demanding to be heard.
Together we resist, to become, empowered!
Author notes
Just trying to fight the fight...wake people up...and maybe inspire the awakened along the way.
Please, let me know your thoughts...whatever they are.
A contest entry
- Rights, Rights, Rights! by PaperHurricanes.
875 points, ended March 11, 16 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Rise Today! by High Flyer.
800 points, ended March 3, 11 entries
Honorable winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Speak out! by Luna Argintie.
930 points, ended September 9, 234 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 55 of 55
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the ultimate aim of life is happiness and PEACE is the only solution...well written...congrats on the trophy..
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Its funny when I tell people about fluoride or aspartame or MSG they get so upset. It shakes their whole world. They irrationally try to defend it and I laugh. I may have drank the same water but at least i know whats in it.
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You are surely a truthseeker I am also amazed by the passiveness of "the people" and the way no one questions anything.This was so well written. I like that it keeps up the mantra "TO THINK"! That is exactly the problem. There is a whole lot of doing and very very little thinking going on. Everyone had better wake up and stll others assure us it is too late.
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Ugh, I can find like ten things that make this poem absoloutly wonderful. First off, your language is so elegant, and flows beautifully. Two, I can't even tell you how much I love the message in your poem, it's something that needs to be written! It's poetry that can actually do something!
<3erin.
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good shit
I love this piece.... I love how people try to defend the government and there bullshit..do you people understand that it is okay to think for yourself..you always dont have to look the way they point..keep up the good work... Stop the lies.. We are suppose to divide the tyrants..WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FORMALLY REQUEST YOUR RESIGNATION MR. BUSH
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V for Vendetta
The power of one... good for you.
You're cool... such spirit, compassion... one can't help but be inspired.
Kj
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I am a little scared to comment on any more of your poems as your last response what quite agressive. However, I do like this poem and I do share your thoughts.
I am equally amazed at the comment below. What did Public Enemy say - 'Don't believe the hype'.
It is clear that Iraq is in a mess and whils this is certainly made worse by fractitious Islamist groups, it is hard to deny the overwhelming part played by the governments of our two countries.
You are right that people do not like to be upset, or to have their pre-conditioned notions uprooted, or, for the most part, to think for themselves. It is much easier to go along with a report written by a biased, paid up member of the club!
If I could make one comment though: do we want to disturb people, or awaken them? -
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I want to disturb in the sense of disrupting their shells. Disruption is often a necessary part of awakening. Thanks for your comment westley.
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Ouch!
It has been fairly well documented that the "600,000 number" of people purportedly dead in Iraq since March of 2003 (our "invasion" date) was nothing short of statistical propaganda--which makes the 900,000 number utterly laughable.
I see this poem hails from March of this year, and now in September the long-awaited Petraeus report has been made manifest in Congress. There is undeniable progress on nearly every front of the war, the Iraqi people are taking part in free enterprise and entrepreneurship for the first time, electricity and sanitation medical aid, etc. is being brought to every corner of the country. The only harm to the Iraqi people is coming from other Iraqis, or worse, "freedom" fighters from other countries.
To balance whatever liberal blogs and mass media input you are getting, I would suggest spending a lot of time at www.mnf-iraq.com . I suggest this only for balance so you can see the progress up close, first hand, and often-times through the eyes of the Iraqis themselves.
Best wishes for a peaceful future and the defeat of the Islamo-fascist movement. -
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Earth to Jim, wars are a lie. I would say almost all wars are manipulated, often both sides are funded by the powers that be. The ones with the money, the elite, whatever you want to call them. You might be comfortable with bankers. So lets defeat all fascist movements by defeating the war makers.
Just had to get that off my chest. -
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Life is a series of truths and lies. War is just a tool for equalizing social tensions. Peace is often a lie if you think about it. We are at peace with Red China... granted them 'Most Favored Nation' trading status. Yet their human rights record is anathema to us. Their totalitarian government is 100% at odds with our founder's hope for this nation. Enron was a lie, but there was no war.
We need to defeat more than war makers... we need to defeat all manner of mainstream media disinformation, all manner of corrupt business practices, all manner of infringements on our personal liberties and rights...
Ron Paul for President! -
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our personal liberties and rights...don't you mean freedom? I don't like that they use the word liberty, it imply permission from the clenches of control. Its supposed to be America, home of the free. Not the united states, the land of liberty, the land of throwing you another bone on the pile. But I can see that I am preaching to the choir here. I am wearing a vote Ron Paul shirt at this very moment
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:)
Freedom and liberty are nearly synonymous. I use either in contrast to tyranny, subjugation, enslaved and such words as that. I am at liberty to exercise my freedoms. I am free to enjoy my liberties. I can't really see an ounce of difference, but, in any discussion, it is always good to talk with the same set of term definitions. The damned Democrats call taxes "investments" and there is a whole host of doublespeak like that. -
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To be free is a sate of being, our right. Liberty is a granted privilege from an external power, thats the difference, the doublespeak you speak of. The government calls taxes investments because thats what it is. Our bodies are stock to the company called the federal reserve. We haven't had our own money since after ww1, when the the Federal Reserve was put into place. Since "we" went broke in that war, we the people were put up as collateral. The company called the United States used its people, workers as stock. Our money, our bodies, an investment, so these crooks will continue to print money out of thin air. The IRS is a private company, making sure we pay up, even though there is no law stating we must pay an income tax.
Thanks for letting me rant
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Ah, My Pleasure:
Like most words, Liberty has a variety of connotations:
1 : the quality or state of being free: a : the power to do as one pleases b : freedom from physical restraint c : freedom from arbitrary or despotic control d : the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges e : the power of choice
2 a : a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant : PRIVILEGE b : permission especially to go freely within specified limits
3 : an action going beyond normal limits: as a : a breach of etiquette or propriety : FAMILIARITY b : RISK, CHANCE *took foolish liberties with his health* c : a violation of rules or a deviation from standard practice d : a distortion of fact
4 : a short authorized absence from naval duty usually for less than 48 hours
synonyms see FREEDOM
–at liberty 1 : FREE 2 : at leisure : UNOCCUPIED
I think of it more in terms of 1a.-e.
Your definition was much like definitions 2. and 4.
From Merriam Websters Collegiate Dictionary CD ver. 2.5.
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Yes and what I am saying is while your thinking of it as another word for freedom, these insidious elite are calling it a PRIVILEGE! aren't they so sweet...
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Yes.
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VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA !!!
START A REVOLUTION !! When have we really ever got what we want? Pay taxes, go to work , and shut up. Theirs our constitution. Well done indeed, you are a kindred soul in our cause indeed. We need more artist like yourself to wake these f....in' hypocrites up. I am 52 so I have seen it all, but this present time in our history is particularly embarrassing because our so called leader and his cronies should be deported as enemy of this country.I have never been more ashamed ! This really did it's job. Inspiring and provocative. As usual ,in my humble opinion, you prove to be one of the most prolific, articulate writes on this site.I hope some of the more grown up writers here appreciate your presents. You are a blessing.
PS. I like your page with the coliseum and lion, it has multiple meanings, but the aliens added a certain mystery to your site that I liked. Just one gypsies opinion.
LOWELL POE -
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thank you so much for your words. They mean a lot. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I truly undeniable believe revolution is the only option. And I say with full confidence that the true divine creator wants a revolution too.
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I am truly enjoying reading your work and all the comments it generates! I must say here that revolution is where a lot of the fraternal orders get their power. They have been present in almost every revolutionary period in history. (French, Mexican, and American) The trick would be to have one (which would be the rich fighting the poor) and not have these racist rich pompous mostly white men come and have any say in it.
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why would you say that god wants one?
i'll disregard the fact that there is no substantial evidence or proof that a god exists and skip to the problem of you knowing this supposed being's intentions. clearly if there was an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent deity, if he/she wanted a revolution, he/she could simply change the world to the way that he/she wanted.
or maybe god isn't all powerful and has to work through people. or maybe god doesn't want a revolution - or just maybe, god doesn't exist at all.
what you say is simply nonsensical...
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we're up to approximately 800,000+ in iraq - not 100,000
yeah...good message, though, i must admit -
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why is it admitted. we should write this on the walls and then tear them down...sorry, the revolutionary in me gets riled up.
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but then we'd have nowhere to sleep...
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I'd rather sleep under the star then sleep behind bars!
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if there was a revolution, odds are that you'd wind up behind them
if you have any on your windows now, it's your own damn fault
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Cool poem, I love the idea of civil disobedience. I love the part of this poem that says "When a government invades and kills 100,000 people, this is called patriotism, and the patriotism number rises." Ah, such hypocrisy...
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this is great. i have alot of the same views. thank you for your words. you are a great writer.
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and thank you for yours
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Nice write. Powerful and driving dialogue. Where were we a few years ago? Being beaten into submission. That's where. Me, I copped out an left the uncomfortable country. But poetry like this reminds me of why I could possibly be proud to walk around the world and call myself an American. Thanks.
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I feel the same about people like you! I have almost left this country many a time. I've decided to stay,if nothing else, its a show. I'll stay until the earth quakes and volcanoes start erupting because, nature, she's pissed. But they also have weather controlling technology, so who knows.
Thank you for reading. -
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I was living in the midst of Christian and Rednecks, (most of whom claim Christianity,) I was going to move somewhere. But I was thinking more along the lines of Memphis or Fort Smith, Ar. Met a girl here though, and thought, yeah, why not Australia? Poeple here think we're all very stupid in America. I understand, we're the most powerful country in the world, and we're giving all that power to the corporations. That's our power, the people are supposed to be running the government, and the corporations are there to provide them services. We're doing it ass backwards. I'm glad to see people are coming out now, and stating the obvious. Of course, the damage has been done. I didn't vote last election. I couldn't believe Bush won. It sort of blew me away that it happened. I didn't even think it was possible. I'm voting Ron Paul this time around. Anyhow...ranting now...gotta go. Take care.
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Definitely voting Ron Paul. I didn't vote in the last election either. I believe that they have the power to manipulate (or down right steal) the voting, so why bother. I can believe Bush won, because they clearly stole the last two. Who knows how long thats been going on. I am fortunate to be born in an especially liberal minded part of california. I don't know what I would do, or what I would be, if I lived amongst rednecks and christian frauds (christianity is bad enough, but to abandon core parts and just use other parts as weapons, is fucking extra shitty). I applaud you for even putting up with it at all. I think really barely any countries have it right, even australia. Perhaps new zealand is close. I'm rambling. Not sure where I'm going with this..Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts. Peace.
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THE TRUTH WRITTEN HERE
YOU SPOKE THE TRUTH. NEVER A TRUER WORLD SPOKEN. PEOPLE SHOULD WAKE UP, THE LIE FOR THIS WAR, HAS BECOME THE 'NORM.' WONDERFUL, TRUTHFUL INSIGHT TO HOW GOVERNMENTS MANIPULATE AND PLUNDER PEOPLES MINDS.
KEEP WRITING
ALL THE BEST
WAYNE
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Thank you
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The title is a great factor in this poem. It is described how our civil disobediance is standing up for peace. I love how you start the poem with two simple words, "To think," and how you finish with "Together we resist, to become, empowered!" You display great truth in this piece and I stand up for what you believe. Thank you for sharing with the world
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I absolutely love a person who speaks their mind no matter what people might think!!!!
I stand and applaud you my friend!
~To think,
When a citizens hand brings intrusion then death,
this is murder.
When a government invades and kills 100,000 people,
this is called patriotism.
People in protest are imprisoned and beaten,
in the name of disturbing the peace.
Well, there is no peace,
But we stand disturbed and we must learn,
-to disobey-
Because those we oppose are engaged in a war,
-the great crime of our age-
Involved in a lie wrapped in a charade.
Masquerading as an answer,
While the question is a lie.
Our perceptions are produced, manufactured, controlled.
-Bottom line-
If you have a second please read my poem called ANGRY
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At least i know someone gets it, sometimes it seams that society is so bogged down with *patiotic* murderers that the few of us who see the people that die not the numbers, not the goverments constent badgering of patriotic camershals, conpains, and 'join the army' school asemblys to drive the humanity out of it all. It gets so overwelming, i hate when people say where setting them free where fighting tarisum, its not the tarerists that die its the inecent men, wemon, and children that are dieing becouse of the patriatims. Ok im not ranting, i love this peom.
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Oh! I like this.....agree word for word. I love the very valid points that you make....comparisons, if you will. Excellent....and put together very cleverly with the pic!!
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Nice Work
I like your style. You will be my first writer to go into my favorites. I am impressed by your vision and happy to see someones ideology so close to my own. I don't agree with VampQueen's regurgitation of propaganda. I personally know some soldiers who have awoke to the true nature of war and politics through their experiences. More and more are coming around everyday as the hidden truth takes its toll on our society.
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POWER!
hehe i like being a disturbance
fabulous piece! . . does anyone use fabulous anymore? nevermind that. thank you!
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I am not sure if I agree with your point of veiw towards our military. You are against the war, that is obvious, and you expressed yourself in this good poem, but are you also against the men, women, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters that fight as well? That is merely my opinion.
I agree though that we should get out of Iraq, but not at the cost of civilian lives, whether they be Iraqi, or Iranian, or any other natioanlity.
You did a good job overall, on composing this. However the last line,
"Together we resist, to become, empowered!", sounds choppy because of the second comma.
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Its not that I am against the troops. I know most of them are not bad people and they may have gotten sucked into this by means of poverty or for school or simply misguided people thinking they are protecting their family. But I do think that we give them the power to conduct these pointless wars by signing up to kill people. So in that sense I am against the troops. My main beef is with the government however. It is their fault, not the troops. They are just doing what they are told. But here is where I differ. I am not going to do something just because 'they' tell me too.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I really appreciated it! -
You know, it's more of a Support the Troops; Not the War thing that I feel in this poem. I like the fact that we have people here who are willing to sacrifice and give lives to protect the people of their country; but should we send our men, women, children to a place where it'd be a massacre on both sides?
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This is EXACTLY what I needed! Whoever you are, Creatress, keep on going! We (the world/society/the country/INDIVIDUALS) need more people like you: People who don't just say, "Oh that's sad" and go back to eating dinner; but do something about it. Keep writing poems like this, darling poet, and remember to keep people aware!
Akasha
Okay, so Disturbed's lyrics to "Land of Comfusion" comes to mind:
"Now, did you read the news today?
They say the danger has gone away
But I can see the fire's still alight
They're burning into the night
There's too many men, too many people
Making too many problems
And there's not much love to go around
Can't you see this is a land of confusion?
This is the world we live in
And these are the hands we're given
Use them and let's start trying
To make it a place worth living in"
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Thank you so much for your comment/support. It means the world to me not to feel alone on this.
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oh my gosh i love it! it's always bothered me that people don't think war is murder. kids grow up wanting to be in the army to take care of people but just end up killing people. but the only thing is, if people hadnt killed for our freedom we wouldn't have the right to say any of this... well it was an awesome poem!
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Interesting
"Masquerading as an answer,
While the question is a lie."
What fasinating lines which bring a certain clarity to what is a very important subject. Sometimes for peace we all must place our fists in the air and say "no more".
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Peace out! Awaken the cause! Fight for your rights! (sorry about my elementary review, but your poem rocks! I'm so showing it to all my progressive friends at school. We're starting a protest againist the war. Thanks for the inspirational poem!)
~Hippie
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You have a lot of passion and your point of view comes across quite clearly on where you stand. It seems like you hope to inspire people to stand behind you. The only thing that bugged me a little bit is one line at the end. Halfway through the piece and towards the end you mention the below lines.
"I will not be passive, I will be heard..."
"..and we mean to disturb those who are in charge of a war..."
However, the second to last line you say "...we stand in peace, waiting to be heard..." This seems so passive compared to the wording and energy in other lines. Perhaps the phrasing should be re-thought to be more active to follow along in the same vein as the rest of the poem. Some of the thought transitions don't flow perfectly, but I can appreciate the passion you have for your belief on this.
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Thanks for the comment. Your right, I went with... "Because we stand in peace, demanding to be heard - together we resist, to become empowered!"
Thanks for the encouragement!
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Excellant/intriguing/unique
A very fine write indeed. This write reminds me of statements made both by some of the Fathers of our Country and essays by American Philosophers. -
Powerful content, clearly what you believe in which is very good. It doesnt always flow very well, but maybe thats not necessarily the point here. One thing:
-Bottom line-
Are lives consist of little more,
Our lives you probably meant?
Very strong message, hope you can make a difference! -
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oops, your right. The problem with mistakes like that is the spell check won't point that out. Thanks for the comment!
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That's the spirit !
your incisive writtings contain such powerful signals towards society and are allways a pleasure to read and mediatate upon! you not only see things that we are forced/supposed to ignore but you also manage to artfuly put them inot words making it all sound so real.you pen the present with a weird fragrance about the future which as I know by far it's called scientificaly "talent" well done again!splendid!
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