To sit beneath satisfaction's umbrella
of dominance,
resting beneath wings of peace,
giving verbal succour,
will rarely change attitides
and never relieve
the pain and suffering of oppression.
To speak out,
followed with action,
denying despotism's cruelty
and injustices bred from greed,
requires strength of character
in opposition's obscure light\
Persecution may follow
open denial of tyranny,
yet like so many before,
the drums of peace and equality
are a spirit that
will never die.
Stones may kill the body
but the surge integrity
is the only antidote
for the disease of injustice
that riddles cunningly
through mankind.
Author notes
Please write about what this quote and picture inspires in you.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Please credit www.selflessminds.com
In a list
A contest entry
- Quote Contest, Martin Luther King Jr. by Nicada.
600 points, ended November 20, 2008, 5 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
-
How deep and true you words are...yet injustice seems to be something past down from ignorance...sad truth is it is taking too long to change...wonderful write that all should read and think about...deserving of the trophy...excellent work!
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Persecution may follow
open denial of tyranny,
yet like so many before,
the drums of peace and equality
are a spirit that
will never die.
I really love the image of King you used, he's so young and vulnerable. I always felt his message was so much more pure before his popularity soared, but what do I know? I wasn't alive.
Fabulous tribute to one of my all time faovrite role models.
Love,
jin
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This poem is powerful in its message and is a great way to interpret the quote prompt. The whole write is strong, but I especially like the last stanza. Nice! Thanks so much for entering. Blessings, Patty
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What a fantastic piece, the troubles of today need to be displayed, to be seen, to be heard nd you are giving our world a fine voice. A great verse indeed. Best to you in the contest
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