INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
Moderator: Shelley Hansen
- Maureen K Clifford
- Posts: 8156
- Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
- Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
- Contact:
INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
INALIENABLE RIGHTS ... Maureen Clifford © The #ScribblyBark Poet
"I'd rather be dead than go back there again
to be bullied and picked on - the place is insane"
and these words that he spoke made his Mother's eyes tear
for he was her first born and to her he was dear.
"I'd rather be dead than give up gun control
it's my right to bear arms - I don't need no foxhole
to allow me to carry the gun of my choice"
And the world's ears all listened - and all heard his voice.
"If you had a teacher ... who was quite adept
at firearms, it could end the attack I suspect
very quickly." But alas teachers did not agree
#Armme with books and not guns was their plea.
"Weapons of destruction they have no place here,
we're teachers of children, not teachers of fear-
being armed to the teeth is not what we require
nor do we want a bonus for returning fire."
And the world watched with horror as this farce went on.
Ancient words writ on parchment was now a theme song.
The kids took up banners and marched in the street
they marched for their lives and to a different beat.
I'd rather die - hyperbole extravagant
most often voiced by a sad worlds inhabitant -
our children are dying ... are we so inept
that we stand and watch whilst the rest of earth wept.
"I'd rather be dead than go back there again
to be bullied and picked on - the place is insane"
and these words that he spoke made his Mother's eyes tear
for he was her first born and to her he was dear.
"I'd rather be dead than give up gun control
it's my right to bear arms - I don't need no foxhole
to allow me to carry the gun of my choice"
And the world's ears all listened - and all heard his voice.
"If you had a teacher ... who was quite adept
at firearms, it could end the attack I suspect
very quickly." But alas teachers did not agree
#Armme with books and not guns was their plea.
"Weapons of destruction they have no place here,
we're teachers of children, not teachers of fear-
being armed to the teeth is not what we require
nor do we want a bonus for returning fire."
And the world watched with horror as this farce went on.
Ancient words writ on parchment was now a theme song.
The kids took up banners and marched in the street
they marched for their lives and to a different beat.
I'd rather die - hyperbole extravagant
most often voiced by a sad worlds inhabitant -
our children are dying ... are we so inept
that we stand and watch whilst the rest of earth wept.
Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
- Wendy Seddon
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:20 pm
- Location: Medowie NSW
Re: INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
GOSH! Hard hitting. Scary.
Well put. Thought provoking.
Well put. Thought provoking.
Wen de Rhymewriter There is nothing mundane about the ordinary.
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Re: INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
We're haunted almost daily aren't we with the latest outrage, and there's no end in sight.
A thoughtful poem that touches all bases, well done Maureen -that one will take a bit of topping.
Terry
A thoughtful poem that touches all bases, well done Maureen -that one will take a bit of topping.
Terry
- Maureen K Clifford
- Posts: 8156
- Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
- Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
- Contact:
Re: INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
Thank you Wendy and Terry - I appreciate
your kind comments

Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
- Catherine Lee
- Posts: 1384
- Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 9:47 pm
- Location: Thailand
Re: INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
So good Maureen - and a tragic farce indeed that makes us wonder what we've come to. Terry is right - we are haunted almost daily and you turn on the News wondering whatever will be next...Anyway, I agree with Wendy and Terry - a thought-provoking write!
- Maureen K Clifford
- Posts: 8156
- Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
- Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
- Contact:
Re: INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
Thank you Catherine - I greatly appreciate your comment 

Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
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- Posts: 6946
- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2010 12:08 pm
- Location: Here
Re: INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
G'day Maureen. When will we learn that violence is not the solution to violence. If we read the " easter" story in the foundation documents we learn that,
Neville
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.
" Prose is description, poetry is presence " Les Murray.
- Maureen K Clifford
- Posts: 8156
- Joined: Tue Nov 09, 2010 10:31 am
- Location: Ipswich - Paul Pisasale country and home of the Ipswich Poetry Feast
- Contact:
Re: INALIENABLE RIGHTS - h'work for w/e 16.4.18
I suspect the answer to that Neville sadly is Never. Violence just seems to be escalating around the world or maybe it is just getting more publicity and quicker circulation of the fact 

Check out The Scribbly Bark Poets blog site here -
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.
http://scribblybarkpoetry.blogspot.com.au/
I may not always succeed in making a difference, but I will go to my grave knowing I at least tried.