Home » Poems » Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib » Are You Safe

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib - Premium Member

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib | + Follow Poet |

Are You Safe

Are your mind and heart open Are you safe For the weary and forsaken Are you safe Does empathy over prejudice prevail Or do different perspectives tip your scale For the weak and the mistaken For the outcasts and the shaken Are your mind and heart open Are you safe

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Jeanette Swan

Date: 12/31/2023 3:19:00 AM

I like how your poem flips the question of 'Are you safe?' to the question 'Are you safe - for others?', especially those hurting, and longing for refuge. I like the meaning and pattern of these lines, 'For the weak and the mistaken For the outcasts and the shaken' where as I reader I look both inwards and outward. I also like how the questions chase me through the poem, 'Are you safe?' and 'Are your mind and heart open?' It is challenging to see yourself as a potential perpetrator.

Ricky Muse

Date: 8/10/2023 10:10:00 AM

Nice. Love the subtle wordplay and the rhyme.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 8/17/2023 11:50:00 AM

Thank you Ricky! Playing as we do, we see what we want to see, same goes for poetry. xomo

Brian Sambourne

Date: 7/21/2023 9:29:00 PM

I really like the ambiguity of the title + line "are you safe"? For me there is the suggestion that am I safe from the " weary + forsaken," cocooned within my layers of comfort. By keeping heart + mind closed, I am safe from empathy + caring. Perhaps one way of interpreting your piece. A winner, Maureen. Loved it. It should be the poem of the day. Cheers, Brian

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 7/23/2023 8:36:00 AM

Thank you Brian! One of the first things I learned when I came here was that once your poem is released, it has a life of its own. Your kindness is much appreciated, I really can’t thank you enough. xomo

Gary Radice

Date: 7/2/2023 1:34:00 AM

A poem that has really made me think this Sunday morning - and I like that. The world's orchestra is, on the whole, in tune but I worry about the conductors (world leaders) who are out of sync. Me? I think I'm safe. I'm a 61 year old who has started walking with my hands behind my back. Cheers - Gary

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 7/4/2023 5:17:00 AM

Cheers Gary! I like your style, I’m a decade behind you. I do enjoy the world’s orchestra myself, the natural world anyways. Got pooped on by a bald eagle on the weekend, feeling pretty lucky! xomo

Panagiota Romios

Date: 6/28/2023 8:35:00 AM

We can be our own person Anytime and anywhere! But with that comes a question are you safe being yourself? I say yes! Other thoughts and opinions are rightfully theirs as your thoughts are yours Nobody can take your thoughts from you except you. Sure, some ignorant people are try to destroy you. And so what? They really can’t. By the way, I like this poem hugs, Pangie

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/28/2023 9:30:00 AM

Funnily I am actually safer for everyone else than I am for myself, compliments of a TBI, but regardless of your colour, faith, gender persuasion or identity or social economic state, you are safe with me. Thank you Pangie, xomo

Anonomus Scorpio

Date: 6/24/2023 12:55:00 PM

Safety like happiness and love is what you make of it. Do I feel safe most of the time yes. Do I Champion the safety of others always. There's many different ways people can choose to live their life. But at the end of it I believe only your conscious mind will understand it. There is no other way to live but by doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Golden Rule above all! Warmly A.S

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/26/2023 11:32:00 AM

Amen to that golden rule. Thank you dear! I know you’re a safe person for anyone to be around, your poetry has told me so ;), xomo

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 6/22/2023 8:26:00 PM

I try to be safe, to be open and accepting but honestly it's hard sometimes with all the hate and fear mongering that's in so much of the internet, but wow this is an exceptional piece of writing, Mo, will have to Fave it~

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/26/2023 11:30:00 AM

Thank you Michelle, I hear ya, it’s an effort keeping one’s self in check. Empathy is understanding or at least trying to, how and why and knowing that under the same conditions it could be you too. Hugs! xomo <3

Jeff Connelly

Date: 6/21/2023 9:07:00 AM

Am I reading into this incorrectly, Maureen? After reading it I asking myself if I am safe to be around others? I believe that I am; but then everyone's ego wouldn't try to destroy oneself... I'll be back to read this poem over and over again and again. Provocative... Hugs...

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/26/2023 11:18:00 AM

Absolutely correctly my friend. and rest assured, you are ~x

David Kavanagh

Date: 6/19/2023 12:53:00 PM

I’d be lying to say, my heart is as open as my mind, but telling the truth to say, different perspectives tip my scale, I honestly write to release my own demons, but not to set them on others, you give me pause for thought Maureen, am I safe is probably best answered by others, cheers David

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/20/2023 7:49:00 AM

For me tis t’other way around, my heart is my compass, keeping my mind in check, however, my demon my muse too. Cheers my friend. xomo

Ricky Muse

Date: 6/19/2023 8:55:00 AM

This piece has an ominous tone mixed with the question of humanity. Intriguing poetry for sure.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/20/2023 7:49:00 AM

Thank you Ricky. xomo

Nancy Kaufman

Date: 6/19/2023 6:25:00 AM

This is a very poignant poem Maureen as so many are driven by their fears these days. Perhaps the pandemic pushed some of us over the cliff? Can you imagine four out of five Americans have a mental health diagnosis? It's very, very sad.

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/20/2023 7:52:00 AM

That is a crazy stat! I think DSM5 may be in bed with big pharma… So many factors contributing, diet, undiagnosed brain injuries, trauma, just to name a few. Thanks you Lovely! xomo

John Lawless

Date: 6/19/2023 4:26:00 AM

Love the double entendre herein...."Are you safe?"....a question asked by those not asking for protection...but for a peaceful acceptance

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/19/2023 5:52:00 AM

Triple entendre? Asking yourself are you a safe person for others. Can I be myself with you? With you, John, I do think so <3 xomo

Jan Allison

Date: 6/18/2023 4:16:00 PM

thought provoking piece Mo I know I am safe in my own little world when i write:-) hugs janxx

Maureen McGreavy The Insolent Rib
Date: 6/19/2023 3:28:00 AM

Thank you Jan, amen to that. Something tells me you’re a safe person to be around too. Hugs, mo <3