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Prologue

Be swift, my friends, be swift!
When stormclouds thin and sunfire floods the rift,
When the first green pierces the winter drift...
Eager to grasp the future's smallest gift,
Be swift!

Be slow, my friends, be slow!
Be not impetuous at letting go
The good hard-forged through the long years of woe...
To voyage uncharted upon history's flow,
Be slow!

Be kind, my friends, be kind!
Gentle to bruised soul and bewildered mind,
To ears for decades deaf, to eyes long blind...
Let the old enmities be left behind!
Be kind!

Beware, my friends, beware
When would-be allies come to speak you fair,
Sift word and deed as ever with due care -
A late frost often blasts the April air!
Beware!

Be free, my friends, be free!
Open to all men's thoughts in charity,
Not only on the day of jubilee
When all is hope, joy and new liberty -
But when work-weariness brings apathy,
Boredom, despair and petty rivalry.
Then "All things shall be added unto ye!"
Be free!


  (Warsaw-Berlin- Moscow-Kyiv-Minsk-Vilnius... 1990-1991)

Author notes

This, as the "dateline" under the poem indicates, written during - and in response to - the events of 1989-1991, as the Communist bloc fell apart - events in which I was privileged - in a small way - to participate.

(By the way, I am informed that it will be recited today during the opening ceremonies of a youth conference marking the 20th anniversary the fall of the "Wall".

A contest entry

Please do not feel obliged to comment - but if you do, please understand that it may be some time before I can reply,

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Comments

1 - 13 of 13
  • Jason-R-Britt
    April 27

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    I like this poem alot, it has an old fashioned folksong feel to it, or like something that would have been sung by slaves while working on the plantations. It speaks volumes about the human spirit in the face of oppression. Great job, you made the finalists, good luck in the contest.


  • Vanillakilling
    February 5
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    Thank you for entering. Best of luck.


  • DragonBlue gold member
    June 24, 2008

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    I enjoyed your pen of spirit. Thank you for entering my contest.

    Blessed Be!
    )O(
    DragonBlue


  • fakeport
    May 13, 2008

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    I love the monorhyme stanzas, never an easy way of writing. Not quite what I had in mind when I wrote the contest, but its political, and its very well written, so its definately right for the contest. Thanks for your entry and good luck.

  • xXblackenedXroseXx
    March 9, 2008

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    This poem is completely what I had in mind for this contest.. but it is very well written and does involve politics so I have no problem keeping it in my contest.

  • Bob Fox
    February 26, 2008

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    Excellent write

    Words of beauty like a call to all humanity. Freedom the bold hope of all. Brings to mind the words of a Jefferson fellow I once read about.


  • DrunkenRam
    February 25, 2008

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    This is really great, The subject matter (whether it fits the contest or not) is absolutely perfect, it tells the right things about political decision making.
    good Luck.

  • h202
    September 13, 2007

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    awesome. very, very interesting that you were involved in such an experience. you convey that very well in this poem. only thing that doesn't really work for me is the first line of every stanza. i understand its effect i just don't really like repetition. but the rhyme is great, most of it has a smooth and easy to read rhythm. the ending is GREAT too. "all things shall be added unto ye" is my favorite line. interesting. good write thanks for entering good luc


  • chills gold member
    May 7, 2007
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    I used to be very kind - but lately have found that harder and harder to do except with the young people of my aquaintance, just about to leave school or come of age who, after all, have the inheritance of our lack of kindness waiting for them. A thought provoking write Vera. Glad to see you are fighting fit. Thank God. love debs


  • klassy lassy
    April 26, 2007

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    Vera, this is such a beautiful poem to contemplate, and you conclude with a kind of joyfulness for the trials that challenge us to move forward. Thank you for sharing this. I am bookmarking it for future reference to the wisdom of your heart and pen. Somethings we know from experience, but a reminder when stumbling around in the dark to seek some light is always a good thing. ~ Karen


  • MargaretG
    April 25, 2007

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    Vera, you have made your form, stuck with it, and added on for a triumphant finish.
    These are words to the wise, which are often, alas, unheeded. Your last stanza's advice to keep faith through thick and thin is excellent. Thank you for driving me to check my bible; certainly, if we take care today, we need not worry about tomorrow.

  • lonewolvernsoul
    April 20, 2007
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    eh . . sorry bout the rules! ^.^ thank you for entering! loved the poem.

  • eyepoetress
    April 19, 2007
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    A beautiful poem! Favorite lines 16-20

1 - 13 of 13