Comrades...I will die today.
Many have died before me,
many will give up their lives
after me. It is inevitable,
for we fight the greatest
threat to humanity the world
has ever known. Fascism
is the undisguised and shameless
face of the Beast.
I speak not of the biblical
demon, but the all-too-human
beast who dwells in the heart
of the corrupt, the exploiters
and the power-seekers.
Yet I say to you, comrades,
there is a greater power--
the power of socialism and human
justice; the bond of solidarity.
The Beast may torture us;
turn our weaker brethren against
their own and press bondage upon us--
they will never conquer
our indomitable hearts; never
destroy the brotherhood of workers
or prevent the Red Flag from fluttering
in the high winds of change.
Yes, I will die, but my soul
shall scream defiance.
Who will scream defiance with me?
A contest entry
- Picture prompt - Defiance! by Mairi bheag.
1000 points, ended June 14, 2008, 11 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
-
Very stirring stuff indeed. There is no authentic record, as far as I know, of what Stjepan said, but he could well have given an oration like this. Thank you for the entry.
-
I must confess that I had never heard of the man in the Mairi's contest prior to reading this piece and then the contest prompt itself. A very interesting piece, and certainly something fitting the picture and the man. A quick google search has left me reading more on this man...I always enjoy a good read on history. Very well done.
Rory
-
An excellent closing speech. Let's hope there are always people who will make a stand against evil in all its forms.
Adding your comment:
