Listen to poem:

A Call To Action

from "The Waking" by Theodore Roethke:
"I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow
I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go."

Queasy anxiety, a fearful edginess of dread,
an old and omnipresent sense of doom
taint the times that random opportunity affords
to slip convention's chains, to openly proclaim
a saner point of view, a logical rejection
of muddy, inane thinking, of tradition-bound
adherence to stupidity's insistent songs
that perpetuate a myriad of wrongs.
Let there be no turning back; face the fears, be the change --
for diversity, humanity, acceptance, brotherhood,
and love.  Explain, support, convince.  Break the silence:
come out, come out, whoever and wherever you may be!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Austin Avatar
February 6, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Hey! Down with those ancient Mayan predictions, arrived at over a pile of chicken bones. Love, daver
Andresen Avatar
February 5, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Agree...let there be no turning back.... - oxox hugs Anne-Lise
Dietrich Avatar
February 4, 2012 at 3:28 PM
BE the change, that is the theme of this one. a great message in these political times. VEry well said.
Agtani Avatar
February 4, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Change no matter what it is is dreadful. Nice poem Leo. I enjoyed reading it. Dalila
Johnson Avatar
February 4, 2012 at 3:13 PM
Well said. If only we were all so brave. Thank you Larry for commenting on my poetry. Love, Joyce
Pierre-Alexander Avatar
January 31, 2012 at 7:30 PM
Insightful, inspiring, excellent...Leo you're good no doubt no doubt.
Goller Avatar
January 31, 2012 at 1:49 PM
One has to face to ups and downs in life. A very nice expressed poem.I enjoyed reading it.God bless you.Erich
Bombardieri Avatar
January 31, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Inspiring to say the least! "be the change" - love those three words! I try to live by that. thanks for sharing:)
Grundy Avatar
January 31, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Hey thank you for your comment and thank you for posting your poetry as I am thoroughly enjoying basking in its elegance and inventiveness.
Taylor Avatar
January 29, 2012 at 9:25 AM
I agree, Leo. Very insightful piece. Great job. Thanks for your comments. Best to you and yours. Ralph
Marcum Wong Avatar
January 26, 2012 at 2:36 PM
Leo, What an insightful, inspiring poem! I couldn't agree more. You present the challenge and offer some excellent paths to take to make our world a better place. A very impressive piece indeed. Thank you for your generous comments on my poem Blue.
Horne Avatar
January 25, 2012 at 12:58 PM
Insightful write, Leo. Loved it
Abbey-Mensah Avatar
January 24, 2012 at 12:07 PM
A call to action indeed. Wonderful write my dear friend and thanks for the comment on my poem...
Kendrick Avatar
January 23, 2012 at 5:23 PM
I especially like the lines starting "Let there be no turning back" to the end of the work..So many times we start a project to do good and get sidetracked..Enjoyed reading this eve..Your kind review of my work was uplifting..Sara
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