We keep a ledger in our head,
a record of victories and loses,
each detail meticulously recorded
by the statistics calculated in secret
about times we acted by right
and the efforts where we bent the rules.
Our lips might speak the words
of how we know what is fair
from what is wrong.
If the labor leads only to failure
nobody worries about your actions,
however if success comes,
what means we used to gain
will be the habit for the future.
Keeping the books of the conscience
is a life long habit,
the numbers written
only we know if are really true.
But is we stand upon a throne
aware we cheated to claim its seat,
we only become a champion
that never feels inside the truth violated
was really a worthy prize,
ever cursed to gaze over one's shoulder
for the one witness
who can disqualify they victory.
Author notes
Write me a poem on the following prompt: "Accountability is not for those who struggle...it's for those who succeed."
A contest entry
- Prompt: Accountability by ml12.
600 points, ended August 30, 2008, 5 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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Beautifully written and so true. If no one else knows your conscious will. Congratulation on the Gold it is well deserved.
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This reminds my of Macbeth, which is good. I liked the way each stanza built on the one before finally leaving us with an important message and maybe with the accountability to make sure we are not in the same position within our lives. Bravo! Thanks for entering the competition!
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Brilliantly penned! How true! There is always someone who knows whether we have cheated getting where we are.
A very profound piece.
All the best with this
Gaylene
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wow, this blew me away!!!!!!!!!
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