Face Off
©copyright 2008 Bonita M Quesinberry
When I was young, "beautiful" was what they said,
though always I reddened at such praise;
it was pain inside I saw and a heart that bled,
while just upon my face they did gaze.
Still, I was known for integrity of steel
and honesty as pure as gold:
for I put on no mask that could be peeled,
no hidden agenda, my words bold.
By these two assets I worked and lived each day;
then the Devil played his wicked game
within Rule that determined my home and pay:
he would slander and shred my good name.
I had lost face, no longer considered true:
investigations and inspections,
transcripts and witnesses 'til my face was blue.
Win, lose, facts remain in reflections.
It's now a face off between Satan and me,
yet appears as Federal and State.
I believe truth wins and will shout 'til they see:
God's strength and I will speak in debate.
It's not all about me, ev'ryone must know:
it's abuse of the frail and old
by Federal and State, still unknown it goes.
Hear our cry! Demand change strong and bold.
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Author notes
My story is about abuse of seniors and the elderly, of whom I am one, by some of the highest State and Federal departments that provide Social Security and Medical benefits as well as subsidized housing when, unexpectedly, we find ourselves in need of it. My story is common but remains uncommon for lack of reporting by concerned elders or families and friends, when their elder is too afraid to speak on his or her own behalf. The fear: being cast out on the streets with no food, no medical.
Help us get this story out to everyone you know across this nation, even the media if possible, by reading a series entitled "Uncommon Common Abuse of Seniors & Elderly" found in my author page list: pass it on to others. There will be two more segments to the story over the next two weeks, which will be posted to my author page.
In a list
- Critical Articles • next in list
- - Humbled by Wisdom...I Hear - • next in list
- Trophies of GOLD • next in list
A contest entry
- the face, I lost... by PrabhuDayal Khattar.
550 points, ended December 27, 2008, 20 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 27 of 27
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Oh My~
This swells the eyes and I read this so many times~ Power message SisBon and this Inspired me to new heights~ You fought without violence- fought hard for the rights of many~ Bless Your Heart
Love how You presented this also the energy brought forth~ Excellent~
Love YOU~ Precious Spirit!! Can't help but smile
Congratulations on Your Trophy win!
-Throws confetti-
Woooooooooo Hoooooooooooo
Thank You for sharing Your Heart and Voice~
Many blessings to You in all You do Sweet Soul
Best wishes too
with much love & light~ Desire~*~
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Thank you, Sunshine! You always say such sweet things that lift me up and push me forward.
Much luv & hugs, SisBon 
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Excellent
Oh you are so amazing. Very deserving of the gold ten times over. Wow the integrity of honesty with your journey through life. I just loved this and Oh God by the way, ( of course my those were my words) ( now your brilliant words) how it's a face off between Satan and me, ( My words now) but guess what Satan with God I shall win!!!
You already have Bon and you are such a Spiritual Prayer Warrior continuing always for those less fortunate then us and whom so deserve the love and grace we've received and you dear sisBon are that incredibly strong voice. Thank you for being you. Your face shines radiantly with grace and beauty.
Wishing You Many Blessings
Much Love Always,
Your Sis,
Kelle Marie
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Geesh, Sis! See my face turning 10 shades of red!
Thank you so much for those very kind and most encouraging words. Sometimes, that's all I need to push through yet one more day with nothing resolved to date. I am blessed, though, because I do know that God is in control and He will not let others abuse His own for very long. AMEN! Right! We even had a huge rainbow today!
Luv ya, SisBon
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Bravo Bonnie!
You won the GOLD!
I'm glad 'cause it's 
!
Great content, choice of words, flow & rhyme. You write with a mighty pen & boldness. Ride on with The King Sister.
Victory is in sight. Thanks so much for speaking up for those who can't. 
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Thank you so much, Sis, for the kind words and congrats, both most encouraging. I so hope the word gets out there, but so far hardly anyone has read the 4 segments of my story or passed it on to others. I'm doing everything I can on my end but still no media attention, which is vital to getting this major problem to the public's attention and, hopefully, an outcry that causes change.
Much love and hugs, SisBon
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dear Bonnie, first of all I want to say congratulations of course. The subject you chose is one that does nees attention drawn to it [in any way possible] and every single voice that speaks , might hopefully help and get a little change made possible [one little step at a time] because it is a long road to where it has to go. I wish you the very best,
blessed be
Reenie
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Hey Reenie! It is sooo good to hear from you; of course, it's been a long time since I've been around. And, thank you so much for your vote of confidence in this battle I am waging. We can use all the prayers you can give us as well as spread around the articles telling the story in 4 segments. They can be found at http://allpoetry.com/bonnieq then scroll down to My Lists and click on "Critical Articles" where the 4 are listed along with two relevant poems.
Luv ya much! BonnieQ
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This was a really good poem, kudos!!!!
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Thank you, dear one! Anytime you want me to look over one of your poems, just send the link to me with a quick note. Luv ya! BonnieQ
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Wow. Very very powerful. I love the opening, and watching it twist into a battle for face - no pun intended!
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that is deep
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Right on!
Thanks for this moving poem and your advocacy on behalf of those who can not speak for themselves.
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Thank you, Patrick, for your kind words about "Face Off." Alas, we need a lot of people talking and spreading the word about this terrible abuse at the State and Federal levels.
BonnieQ
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very inspirational
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Thank you very much, Lann
BonnieQ
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Wonderful advocacy poem written in rhyme! Well done and congratulations on the gold trophy! Pam
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Thank you very much for the cudos and I hope you will read the series to which "Face Off" refers the readers. This is a very critical matter and means life or death to many of our seniors and elders.
BonnieQ
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I agree with you..indeed truth wins..and the wonderful poetry makes it to win my dear friend..thanks for the entry in my contest...
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Thank you so much, dearest friend, for both the encouragement and accepting the poem into your wonderful contest. I pray that people will read the series and begin spreading the story around this nation. Something must be done when our own government agencies deliberately destroy people and their good names. God will avenge, that I know, so they better watch out.
Much love and hugs, BonnieQ
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Amen
Need more advocates and it is wonderful you wrote it in a poem...hhhmmm possibly to pass around, with your name or without...give a shout, I work in a nursing home and not proud of what goes on or what they allow any of us to say. Blessings, well spoken truth.
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Thank you, Denerica. My daughter, also, is a caregiver in the private sector. She gets so angry at some of things she sees almost daily: her clients won't let anyone through their door except her.
Actually, what needs to be passed around are the two segments already posted here at A/P of my story, which goes far beyond what you and my daughter do: this is abuse at the highest levels and it is killing me as well as many other elders. Check out my author page for: "Vol. I and II: Uncommon Common Abuse of Seniors & Elderly" Since I am a published author, the copyright notice must remain with my works, but please do feel free to print out copies or copy them into emails and send them to everyone you know. We have got to get out the word of this insidious abuse striking terror in so many seniors and the elderly.
Thank you again for your kind words about the poem, which barely touches the surface of this problem.
Much love in Christ, BonnieQ
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Well written!
Very clear and precise! You have a way of saying things in poetic form which is so unforced and flows so naturally!
This is a powerful poem. I liked it very much, it conveyed so much in few words.....power punch!
Great job Bonnie!
Nicely done!
Love,
Annette
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Hear my laughter to the heavens, dear Sister! It was not long ago that my poetry, if it could be called such, failed in meter and was considered forced rhyme. I do not consider myself a poet; being more a novelist and God's pen for the books His Spirit had me write. But, I do love poetry and do love the musical quality of it and I feel that poetry is not poetry unless it rhymes. Rhythm and rhyme just seem to naturally go together.
Thank you so much, sweetie, for the kind and encouraging words. I think you and Joanne (thelordreigns) are the only ones who think I'm a poet.
Luv ya!
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Now, my dear Bonnie - I have always considered you a poet.. even though you ryhme..hehehehehehehehe. And, this is a powerful piece. As you know, I work in a nursing home. I also know that Wanda, my father's wife, went without meds more often then not for a major heart problem. No money. I also know that after she married my dad and went on tri-care, they continued to take money for medc.partd even after she disenrolled correctly. It took 6 months and God intervening before it was resolved. Did they return her money ? Nope. Will they ? Nope. I will keep praying and speaking out. ooodles and ooooooooooooooooooooodles of love and hugs..d
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Thank you for sharing your stepmother's case, sweet Sis. My daughter complains about these problems all the time as a caregiver. Like you, she sees a lot that is quite disturbing. Of course, my story is at the higher levels of State and Federal agencies, which includes HUD and DSHS: a nightmare in four segments, the third one about to be posted here at A/P.
Thank you so much for all your prayers, we need as many as we can get!
Much love and hugs, SisBon
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Ha ha ha........your so funny!
I know what you mean about the rhyme.......I never wrote anything but rhyme for the longest time! But I have ventured into different expressions now.......after being on this site for a while.
I think it is fun to try new things............But my heart is still in the rhyme.
I do think you have a poetic voice Bonnie, and it is the very love for words that seems to be conveyed through your writing.....so articulate and defined.
Very lovely,
Annette
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