Be swift, my friends, be swift
When stormclouds thin, and sunfire floods the rift,
When the first green pierces the winter's drift,
Eager to grasp the future's slightest gift -
Be swift!
Be slow, my friends, be slow,
Be not impetuous at letting go
The good long-forged through the long years of woe,
To voyage uncharted upon history's flow -
Be slow!
Be kind, my friends, be kind,
Gentle to bruised soul and bewildered mind,
To ears for decades deaf, to eyes long blind,
Let the old enmities be left behind -
Be kind!
Beware, my friends, beware,
When would-be allies come to speak you fair,
Sift word and deed, as ever, with due care
(A late frost often blasts the April air!)
Beware!
Be free, my friends, be free,
Open to all men's thoughts in charity,
Not only on the day of jubilee
When all is hope, joy and new liberty,
But when work-weariness brings apathy,
Boredom, despair, and petty rivalry...
Then "All things shall be added unto ye!" -
Be free!
Author notes
The issue which concerns me (and which has formed a major part of my life for more than 50 years) is to help build true democracy in countries emerging from oppressive regimes - which is often a VERY uphill task!
A contest entry
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Bronze trophy winner
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Honorable winner
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PLEASE do not feel obliged to comment on this poem - and if you feel you really must, please understand it may be some time before I respond.
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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great work...the lines ...
Be free, my friends, be free,
Beware, my friends, beware...this kinds repition...
correctly puts the word of caution across
i liked the last para
good choice of words
best of luck in the contest
cheers
shilpa
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Another wonderful poem from you Vera
Enjoyable and meaningful throughout and a pleasure to read. We both look forward to your entries in each round so keep them coming for the remaining rounds please!
All the best
Jeff and Sue
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Thank you - I certainly intend to continue to enter, time and health permitting!
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Good job as usual ...
and you've certainly made some valid points.
I can't say I agree that freedom and democracy always win out, but in the grand scheme of things, they occasionally do.
In any case, this is a marvelous poem. That's the main thing.
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I liked this alot because it speaks of choice and makes it pretty clear that given the choice, freedom and democracy wins out. I wonder with all the people that complain about America if we were given a choice to change what those that live in America that complain would choose to have instead. Good write
Thanks for your entry and good luck in the contest.
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wow
very well written
i like the repetition.
great write
good luck -
Good
I know next to nothing about the political changes of 1989-1991 for two reasons. Firstly because I was only a few years old then and secondly I don't care about politics so I have never bothered making an effort to learn about past political changes and the like. On to the poem:
I like the "Be ____, my friends..." repetition; the structure you have used, very well done. Excellent rhythm and use of syllables! Good rhymes. This was a good read. Thank you for this entry!
By the way it is not what I require, it is what you THINK I require. I want you to tell me what I require.
Redmarkonthewall
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Good repetition here. I liked the imagery and advice here as well. Good luck.
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I like this one. Strange how the last verse is so much longer than the other verses, but still fits just fine. Some good thoughts and messages here. Thanks for entering and good luck in the contest.
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well written. Compelled me to think about that particular time frame.
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very well written great imagery great job
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An Iraqi General, Georges Sada, In his book, Saddam's Secrets, Thanks Americans for saving Iraq. He tells us what we did right, and what we did wrong. He said we were young, enthusiastic, and naive and needed to figure out sooner who to trust. That is how I percieve your assessment, as well.
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Well written,each stanza could stand alone and be counted,very clever,as if each stanza is independent of each other but they are formidble together.A great entry to this contest,well done and good luck.
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Vera, this poem is a joy to read, to be free is something all would love to be and see, the world would be a much better place, truly a genuine poem here in our contest, thank you for sharing and good luck in the contest..
Linda
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