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Freedom Speaks



The man at the podium
knows what it's like to be free,
to move from country to country,
across a continent, across the sea.

The man in the audience
cherishes freedom as his right,
thankful for the resounding voice
that has placed that freedom in new light.







The man who is holding attention
knows well of free speech,
has taken advantage of opportunity
to inspire, to motivate, to teach.

The woman in the audience
listens entranced, almost in disbelief,
taking to heart the inspirational promise,
joy uproariously replacing grief.








The man who keeps  his calm
knows the importance of confidence
the wisdom of surrounding himself
with great minds for guidance.

The child in the audience
senses he's in the presence of greatness
knows his future depends on the eloquence,
believes he deserves more of life, not less.







The man who is a great orator
inspires with his love of his country,
with his belief that, "Yes, we can,"
for he hears it shouted in one great cry.

The reporter in the audience
looks around at the faces in Grant Park,
knows this is the moment, the beginning,
that this is time for history to mark.








The King, now in heaven,
sees his torch passed on,
knows freedom will sing,
the future surely drawn.

The King, rightly pleased.
arises from his cloud,
smiles at the sight
cries, "At Last," out loud!








Author notes

Option 2. The feeling of freedom...

As if the King, Jr. looked down and saw the dream...

In a list

A contest entry

Words come alive when answered in kind.

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 53 of 53
  • Thanks for writing this piece. It has taken only too long for this shift to occur. I am greatful to be here while it is all happening. I am sure the King did rejoice on this beautiful day, all his love, dreams and blood, no longer in vain

    • Hi, Gypsy.

      It was my first time entering a contest
      beyond our group of regulars. But I could
      not resist the comparison---the thrill
      of emotion in Grant Park, the connection,
      the dream....

      I wanted to stage it as thoughts from
      various members of the audience,
      and then, from the persective
      of the KIng.

      Thank you for searching this out!

      M-C


  • hoeftra gold member
    February 19

    Edit | Reply
    I'd almost think there was a political intepretation available for this one. Or an even deeper meaning than that. Yet, might it not be a mistake to ascribe meanings to a work that are not meant to be there.

    Yet I will follow my first instinct. A newly minted president can move more freely with Air Force One at his disposal, using freedom he has always had. Will it be a dark cloud over the earth?

    While he who was president now part of the audience used the voice of one greater than himself to bring to light the true origin of freedom and its meaniing to all men.
    All men in the audience, therefore, know that they can be free. If the future bodes darkly from the new man in charge, freedom is our right to fight it.

    Thus my political intrepreaton of your thought-provoking poem, Arty

    hoeftra


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 19
      Edit | Reply
      Noting the date this was written and posted,
      the day before the inauguration, on Martin Luther King day,
      entered into a contest celebrating MLK, the meaning was to contrast
      the words of the one not yet in office, in reference with those
      of the man of previous hope, now in "heaven."

      I had wanted to write about the night at Grant Park
      and organized into stanzas where Obama speaks,
      is heard and interpreted by "a man," any man,
      in the audience, and then by "a woman,"
      then by "a child", and finally by a "reporter"
      who looks around at the faces in Grant Park.

      With so much almost irreparable damage to be undone
      by the actions taken in the past eight years,
      all eyes looked with hope to one expected to perform miracles,
      to carry on the dream of his long gone predecessor, MLK.

      From your opposite perspective, Jack, I realize you do not see
      the destruction caused by the last admin as I do. I hope
      for miracles for what has become a dire situation.
      Perhaps we can hope for miracles together!!

      I am glad this piece sent your mind travelling in interpretation!!

      Thank you for the visit, Jack.

      Arty


  • Xicana y que
    February 9

    Edit | Reply
    im sure MLK would be pleased 2 see that his words &
    are still remembered & give inspiration & for a better
    future.^_^
    CONGRATS!!!! on winning the silver


  • dre
    February 9

    Edit | Reply
    Simple, nice piece! each word sinks freely (like the freedom we enjoy now) into the spirit of whoever desires it.

    Freedom speaks loud in ur piece as well, we all don't have to be at Grant Park to be motivated.

    My favourite...cos he can't be more fulfilled!
    "The King, now in heaven,
    sees his torch passed on,
    knows freedom will sing,
    the future surely drawn"


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 9
      Edit | Reply
      Nice to meet you, dre.

      Thank you for sharing your expressive words.

      The image had been in my mind,
      since that emotional Grant Park night,
      the joy in heaven form those looking down!

      M-C


  • poetryality silver member
    February 8

    Edit | Reply
    I could have sworn I commented on this wondrous work of poetry. I cannot give any more praise than has already been given. I do believe MLK would have bee thoroughly touched and most proud. Congratulations on earning the Silver Chalice. Your words are exceptional and so is your graphic art.


    Much Love Always ♥

    Renee


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 9
      Edit | Reply
      Thanl you, Renee.

      I was struck with the strength in your piece,
      the passion and the joy, all tinged golden!!!

      Those moments cried out to be commemorated!

      M-C


  • campanaro silver member
    February 8

    Edit | Reply

    Most Moving

    This was one of the most soul
    shaking heart lifting poems I have read in such a long long time.
    Still..
    None quite like this. No matter what, or where, or whom.
    A warm grateful thank you.
    Love peace,
    campanaro


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 9
      Edit | Reply
      Nice to meet you, campanaro.

      And thank you for kind words.
      It appears we agree on the premises implied.

      and peace to you,

      M-C


  • PurpillRain
    February 8

    Edit | Reply
    this is a really good poem... what dr. king and others fought so long for is finally coming true.
    good job!


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 9
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you, PurpillRain.

      So nice of you to stop in and comment!

      Ah, yes, the dream, but so hard to actualize now
      with set-in-mud opposition.

      M-C


  • Mari Goes gold member
    February 7

    Edit | Reply
    Ah yes, this is a trophy poem indeed!
    Although I don't know so much about Dr. King, I still can see that your poem does reflect his thoughts and what he fought for.
    Congratulations with silver

    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 7
      Edit | Reply


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 7
      Edit | Reply
      It was the night at Grant Park when Obama spoke after winning,
      seemed like the King would have been so happy to see his dream come true!!!

      Thanks, Mari!


  • luna-midnight gold member
    February 5

    Edit | Reply
    ooohhhh love the poem, but something wrong with the pics, and it makes it rather, idk, odd?
    but love the poem itself. thanks for entering and good luck
    take care, Stephanie ♥


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 6
      Edit | Reply
      Stephanie, JustSimplyLisa noted that, too.
      She thought it might be because of the contest link,
      for everyone else I asked can see my drawings
      on the page. Perhaps if you entered
      through one of my other pages
      then the view would appear.
      I'll send them thru a message
      as I did for Lisa so you can
      see if they appear and
      note the relevance.

      thank you,

      Aesthete2000
      M-C


  • Yemassee gold member
    February 3
    Edit | Reply
    All graphics look fine in Firefox and in my back-up browser K-Meleon. Maybe an IE problem?


  • JustSimplyLissa gold member
    February 2

    Edit | Reply
    I really am impressed with this write. It's well thought out, and it shows how everyone becomes one, and it captures freedom eloquently.
    Great entry.

    *one small note.. The poem would stand alone, no photo's/videos needed. The photobucket image (it says that it's been move or deleted) should be removed.. it does take away from the power of the write.


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 3
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you for the visit, Lisa.
      I felt all the coincidences
      needed to be recognized
      and I wanted to emphasize
      Obama being seen by varied
      individuals, including MLK.

      Sorry you couldn't see the image.
      Actually, I've been creating drawings
      for all my pieces for some time,
      and them using some photobucket
      effects to create variations.

      I've become accustomed to using them
      the "punctuate" the spaces between
      groups of stanzas.

      Curious, you see it as "deleted"
      for they are all there.
      The word Freedom lettered
      and repeated.

      Out of more curiosity, would
      you want to click on a few other
      posts to see if the images
      read from your system.

      No one else had mentioned
      not seeing them.

      Thank you.
      M-C

  • Aesthete2000 gold member
    January 22
    Edit | Reply

  • Aesthete2000 gold member
    January 22
    Edit | Reply


  • Summer52
    January 21

    Edit | Reply
    Very beautiful and inspiring words.

    Good luck in this contest, Mumsy!


    summer51

  • Such an inspirational message is penned here. You have used the prompt wonderfully. Such a pleasure to read and that last stanza is perfect. Lovely flow and rhyme in this alos.
    Thanks so much for your entry.
    Gaylene


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      February 9
      Edit | Reply
      Gaylene,
      thank you for sharing your thoughts on this piece.
      I had wanted to express my thanks sooner,
      but I interpreted the rules as to wait
      until the contest was over!
      I enjoyed reading all the entries
      and appreciate your efforts in
      hosting the contest.

      M-C


  • gaze
    January 19

    Edit | Reply
    Wonderful tribute to a great man!
    And like so many that have spoken and fought for freedom, he to has been silenced.
    Very good work here MC, in every way

    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      January 20
      Edit | Reply
      Thank you, Mariza, for looking in.

      Here is some Freedom green for you...


  • arafura gold member
    January 19
    Edit | Reply
    Great work. A pleasure to read.


  • hugh wyles silver member
    January 19

    Edit | Reply

    Dear M-C,

    Felled by a fool assassin's gun,
    his mission only partly done,
    yet legacy he left behind
    of equal rights for all mankind.

    For black or white, for you and me,
    he spoke out for man's liberty,
    opposing wars, midst violent scenes
    he battled by non-violent means.

    His watch-cry: "We shall overcome!"
    of his achievements marks the sum
    yet politicians recklessly
    perpetuate world calumny.

    Have we yet gained equality?
    Can we say that we're really FREE?

    I applaud your poem as a fine tribute to this GREAT man and to all he stood and fought for.

    With admiration, love and hugs, XXX Hugh (M-A)

    AWWW! I just realised this is a contest entry! Good luck.. PSSST!

    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      January 20
      Edit | Reply


      A stark reminder, in your favored black, white and gray.

      M-C


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      January 20
      Edit | Reply
      Sorry, Hugh, for causing you to break your rule,
      but speaking "out for man's liberty..." is the very fuel
      that fires your words, calls you into immediate action
      and ultimately gives reader and writer a sense of satisfaction.

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts on my page!

      M-C


  • Yemassee gold member
    January 19
    Edit | Reply
    It's more than just Dr. King up there looking down praising the new opportunity. It's great thinkers and doers of all colors, sexes and nationalities who understand what makes man great, and who see what he is capable of. For as the harbinger of hope his words can be heard by anyone who knows of America's importance in the world, how it can again be a beacon, brighter than ever before, you do not need to be an American to feel that...freedom and equality is timeless, Dr, King knows that now, Gandhi knows that now, Jesus Christ knows that now...right down to the humble man on the corner.

    And you and me.

    Read superbly to me. Sit back and let it be read.


    • Aesthete2000 gold member
      January 19
      Edit | Reply
      Ah, Yem, you are as eloquent as the man at the podium!

      "...the harbinger of hope..." What faith we have in a mere man!

      "...a beacon, brighter than ever before."

      Thank you for expounding on the thoughts!



      M-C


      • Yemassee gold member
        January 19
        Edit | Reply
        If they paid me what his speech writers are being paid I'd be far more eloquent.

        You are welcome, go get some sleep.


        • Aesthete2000 gold member
          January 20
          Edit | Reply
          Aha, so it's $$$ you desire
          to light the Moxie fire!
          Hmmm...seems your spirit
          is far too altruistic
          not to share that eloquence
          spontaneously!
          And thank you for that,
          oh, gifted Moxie Man!!

          M-C


          • Yemassee gold member
            January 20

            Edit | Reply
            With money you eat better. I'll help out my fellow man if he needs help, but if he wants my further time, I expect a dime.

            Just being silly. Morning.


            • Aesthete2000 gold member
              January 20

              Edit | Reply
              Being realistic, praise does not heat the house
              or pay the other assorted bills. Well, here is
              some token monooply money, in deference
              to your skills!!!


  • drifting cloud silver member
    January 19

    Edit | Reply

    Very good

    All nicely tied together and with consistent rhythm and full of so much hope ... just what we need now.


  • pixiestix gold member
    January 19
    Edit | Reply
    YES! What an incredible piece, Aes!

    The plight, the passion, the victory!


  • Olivias Violin
    January 19
    Edit | Reply

    Excellent!!

1 - 53 of 53