I like to think I'm gracious to others.
Everyone says that I'm kind-hearted.
But brother, I take no prisoners
When an all-out brawl gets started.
I don't remember the day I learned
How to separate right from wrong.
But I know that Pacifists only survive
If they're protected by the strong.
For there are people in this world
Who are simply rotten to the core.
So, though peace is a sweet fantasy,
There will always be a need for war.
In the larger world and in our own lives,
Lurk those who are not what they seem;
Cold-hearted tyrants who, in their misery,
Will do their best to destroy your dream.
Even on our beloved AllPoetry dot com,
There are tyrants so hateful and vile
That the most kind and gentle souls
Must kick some ass once in a while.
In a list
Comments
1 - 28 of 28
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Tyrants? On AP? I've never met one.
I think you already know my thoughts on this. Good job buddy. Take care and Have fun. Steve
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Mark, as usual your rhyme is freeflowing and uncompromized, so much so that it seems effortless. I am a pacifist and do not need anyone to make me stronger, I have voluntarily counselled soldiers with PTSD and have heard first hand the raw realities of war.I don't know whether every war has been necessary or fair or just, or whether those that declared it deemed it to be so. I do feel there are no winners in war and sadly sometimes, as in stopping Hitler, there seems to be no other option. Enough of wars per se, I see your underlying thread was to say that you are pussycat who can become a Tiger if need be here at allpoetry. I have, sadly, had to learn to have the same attributes for though I welcome and indeed ask for constructive critique there are those that make and take personal pot shots that are unnecessary even as regards grief. It took me years to gain the confidence to post my poems, it took me even more moons before I could post a poem/comments re my own grief, yet there have been those that have compounded it simply because I was born in the UK, I have also met the Grammar Nazi's and been DQ'd for writing honourable and colour as opposed to the American spelling. Bless everyone for we are a sensitive and creative group of nationalities from around the world, here's to creativity and positivity, Yvette
. Rewarded 8
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Yvette,
Thanks for that great response. I didn't mean to insult pacifists. I only meant that tyrants (nazi's, al-quaeda, etc.) would probably be ruling the world with an iron fist right now if non-pacifists hadn't destroyed them with moral violence. I agree that we should bless everyone, but now and then, there are people on this site who pull the most petty BS, a good slap-down is the best and most helpful thing someone can do for them. i.e., it's good and necessary for their evolution as a human being. lol
Anyway, thanks again for the comments. Your perspective is always welcome and refreshing.
Mark
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Strong poem, well expressed views, good rhyme and rhythms to an unmistakeable message. I'm left pondering about weak and strong, about tyrants and slaves, about good and evil. And about surviving. The reed that bends in the wind, while the oak crashes; the prayer wheel that turns, while the wall falls. Somehow, it seems to me that they are the same thing, different points on a single scale. I agree with your implied philosophy, walk gently and carry a big stick. I agree that the weak deserve protection from the predators who exist everywhere, in all walks of life. But I still wonder about applying labels of convenience, and looking no further than them. Who among us would throw the first stone?
. Rewarded 8
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You got this right. If I had given up when others caimed me lame, I would have quit a long time ago. I am not that weak, thank God. Yes, there are things that should not be, yet they are. They are and whether we like it or not it is there right in front of us and those on the line trying to do what is right. Lord knows that we do not know what is the best plan or the best goal. I sure don't know. But I know this, I cannot stop screaming with my pen about my life and my thoughts no matter which other writer tells me I should quit. I will not quit. It is not going to happen. Great write and you got me going. What more could you want? RC
. Rewarded 8
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Thanks, Robin. Any writer who would tell another writer to quit is just mentally ill. It's like telling someone to stop eating. I'm glad you're strong enough to see their attempts at discouragement for what it is - jealousy of your talent and passion, and bitterness with their own failings.
Take care,
Mark
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Outstanding! I love the spin you put on this oh-so-true message. And it's nice to read some rhyme for a change! You do it quite well! I enjoyed reading this very much.
Leon
. Rewarded 4
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Strong consistant message progresses well throughout.
Easy, natural rhyming and tempo.
Well laid out.
One nit only: I stumble a bit when reading line 2, and wonder if the wording might be changed to remove one syllable (something like "they all say...) Same thing in line 16.
...It may be just the way I am reading it...
Good work on this one.
. Rewarded 6
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Thanks for the suggestion. I'll work on it.
M
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EXCELLENT WRITE
As much as I hate war and I am very much againist the whole war going on now.... I too know that war is inevitable and that there will be people even on here that won't leave a great thing alone. Love your masterpiece, as always ... I tried to comment on this when it was featured but my computer crashed Please let me know the points you lost when I clicked that and I will get those back to you
. Rewarded 8
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An honest delivery of the truth...
I love this bold statement of painful facts of life and war, rolled and tucked 'neath the wing of a peaceful dove. Excellent flow, wonderful imagery. Outstanding work! All the Best, Cyn 
. Rewarded 4
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This is wonderful and all too true. I have encounted one of these people here on AP. I liked the way this flowed very much, not forced at all.
. Rewarded 4
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World peace is an admirable dream, but not a realistic one. "Speak softly and carry a big stick" as Teddy used to say. Good rhyme and flow, a kick ass message, who could want any more in a poem!
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True, true, so very true.In all walks of life and in all groups you will find them.A quiet but firm stand for right and wrong can only be good.sometimes we have to stand up and be counted.I can think of a few asses I would love to kick ( yours isn't one of them ), Ros
. Rewarded 6
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there will always be these sides to society - the good vs the evil; those who are greedy and want power, to those who want to live their lives and help others. Liked that ending - one needs to stand up for what one believes in. Liked the flow, rhythm and rhyme in these lines. Neat picture too, by the way. Head get sore much? LOL
. Rewarded 6
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haha - that's the Big Lebowski rockin' out to Creedence in his late model Buick just before he crashed it. (One of my favorite movies.) Thanks for the visit. Hope you're weekend is going well.
M
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I wrote a poem once called sheepdog, I think. Its deercatcher. It talks about the sheepdog personality and how it unerves the sheep; that they would rather deny the existense of wolves...
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Superb
A very fine write indeed. Unfortunately, you are probably write, tho idealist that I am, with a touch of cynicism, I long for the day when "war will be no more".
. Rewarded 4
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So do I, my friend. Unfortunately, there will always be people in this world who need to be ushered to hell where they belong. Thanks for the comment and best wishes to you.
Mark
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Very good
Very well written, insightful and, well, poetic. Duh...I'm so eloquent >.>
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Great write Mark
I just left a place where there were thousands of men and women who, when the thing got tough, they stepped up and gave their all, The Veteran's Cemetery.
As I looked down the valley to the dry lake bed on this cool day, the wind blew the flags in unison. I felt as humble as a person could get.
This poem is right in there blowing with those flags Mark!
Happy Memorial Day!
. Rewarded 8
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Beautifully expressed and so much truth it what you write. Probably sounds silly, but reading this makes me kind of proud that you consider me a friend!! You need a new business card "Mark Rickerby, Excellent Poet and Wise Old Man' (OK you are not really old, but you are older than me) There are tyrants everywhere and sadly its taken me a long time to realize that even if you stand up to them, that doesn't mean you are not a kind and gentle person. Even Jesus showed the money changes what's what in the temple.
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So true.
There are tyrants among us all and you have written so adequeately about it. It is only when the good men do nothing that the tryants prevail. Thanks for a timely piece indeed.
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Well done!
I'm a bit confused over your views, but you write good poetry.
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No need to be confused. I simply meant there are tyrants in the world (Hussein, etc.), tyrants we run into in our own lives, and tyrants right here on this site, and they all need to be overthrown by strong people before they can do any serious damage to defenseless ones.
Thanks for the visit.
Mark
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How true are your words they have a certain ring
Tyrants are everywhere, and never what they seem.
They hide behind words, concealed behind critiques
claiming constructive, really they're stinky feet.
They claim to be experts, in form and grammer,
but they're full of it, nothing they say matters.
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Praise be the poet
A poem written with some common sense as so many on here search for their Utopia. But I must warn ya. You may find many who have disdain for such words
. Rewarded 4
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I do believe we have all had similar problems here on AP dot com. Tyrants seem to be everywhere! There are those amoung us that need easy prey to feed upon...Yes there is a casue for war at times, thankfully it is not often. Nicely said and done! ~Sie
. Rewarded 6
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