Rob Carmack Poet Narrative

Beautification

Corralled in Plato’s cave,
groupies of untenable shadows,
silenced their intuitions to the smoke and other sighs.

Jamaica’s capital hosted a convention
giving an ever-leaving coward’s play a stage,
now his work is done.

Senior partner and the oldest liar —
the younger roo’s handler —
watches from his own Whitman’s tower;

one man walking past the fire,
brave enough to look at the sun,
his integrity can see behind it.

Hate moved a biased hand against him,
but the truth is like The Cross,
and vanity will always seek a mirror.

Beyond any conviction,
immutable.
Forever keeping themselves,
beautiful.

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Written: 05.01.20 – 05.03.20

Inspired by the bravery, intellectual honesty and integrity of my friend Mark Koplin.

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Rob Carmack July 12, 2020 at 8:11 PM Keith - 'defend a lie?'. This has been proven? And just so I get this straight, admin answers you on a weekend when they have historically taken much longer to respond to inquiries, when they actually do respond. And you 'abhor those cowards..." who delete comments. Now that is interesting because your sr comrade started this show 5 months ago and then deleted the inflammatory posts. You stated you did not see the posts, but you stayed the course after you were advised and you still speak with sr. Rob Carmack July 12, 2020 at 11:49 PM If you were concerned about your integrity you would not have doubled down once you were advised on how this all started 5 months ago. You're trying to sow a seed, but there is just too much salt for it to ever grow. That is what this is really about, he has got to you. And I think that about half the intensity of it, is due to you being mad at yourself for reacting the way you did without seeing how it started. But even then, you figured it would blow over, just like it had before, but this time, it did not. This time, more peeps stood up, and some of them left - Lin, Tempo and The Bard is stepping back some. But my buddy is not going away or stepping back.

Connie Marcum Wong June 17, 2020 at 12:11 AM This is wonderful Rob. "the truth is like The Cross, and vanity will always seek a mirror." great line in a wonderful poem. blessings xxoo Rob Carmack July 8, 2020 at 8:39 PM Many thanks Connie.

Robert Lindley June 2, 2020 at 3:44 PM Back again to read this wonderful piece my friend. I pray you are safe and well. And able to soon gift more of your wonderful poetry here. God bless Rob Carmack June 7, 2020 at 9:09 AM I am busy, but well. TY and God Bless you too.

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders June 2, 2020 at 7:49 AM Hi Rob, I'm glad I found your poem this morning. You have shown such love, respect and admiration for a friend. The depths of your tribute honors two great men of integrity. Thanks for sharing. xx Rhonda Rob Carmack June 7, 2020 at 9:09 AM TY Rhonda.

Eileen Manassian May 19, 2020 at 12:45 AM This analogy is deep and full of meaning. I know it is many layered, but the tribute is obvious and stands out. Standing for conviction is essential to survival. Blessings and thanks for your visit to my blog. :) Rob Carmack May 19, 2020 at 7:03 PM Thank You Eileen. Good to have you back.

Eileen Manassian May 19, 2020 at 12:45 AM This analogy is deep and full of meaning. I know it is many layered, but the tribute is obvious and stands out. Standing for conviction is essential to survival. Blessings and thanks for your visit to my blog. :)

Richard Lamoureux May 17, 2020 at 3:55 PM Thanks Rob, blessings are always appreciated. ;0)

Richard Lamoureux May 16, 2020 at 8:55 AM This is intriguing and requires depth of thought. I can see why it achieved POTD. Congratulations! Sorry I am late to the celebration but I am none the less glad to have stopped by. ;0) Rob Carmack May 17, 2020 at 9:08 AM No problem with being late, I am often the same. Thank you for the visit and God bless you and your family Richard.

Darlene De Beaulieu May 13, 2020 at 2:07 PM hello Mark Rob, beauty is on the inside and out. Enjoy your day my friend. Darlene De Beaulieu May 13, 2020 at 6:37 PM Hello Rob Carmack, yes everyone shows their inner beauty.You are we,come. enjoy your day my friend. Rob Carmack May 13, 2020 at 6:12 PM Indeed, but it is the inside I am most concerned about, and sooner or later, everyone shows. TY for reading and commenting.

Jc Hawkens May 9, 2020 at 7:06 PM Beautiful poem and inspiring tribute. Congratulatios on your well deserved POTD. Rob Carmack May 10, 2020 at 11:34 AM Thank you JC.

Connie Marcum Wong May 8, 2020 at 8:04 PM What a wonderful tribute to Mark, Rob. I always enjoy your amazing poetry. Congratulations on having this honored for POTD! Have a great weekend! xxoo Rob Carmack May 9, 2020 at 9:16 AM Thank you Connie. You have a good weekend too.

Mark Koplin May 6, 2020 at 2:30 PM Thank you so much Rob! This is wonderful I greatly appreciate you watching my back. What a wonderful poem! Thanks my friend. Rob Carmack May 6, 2020 at 6:06 PM You are welcome Mark and welcome back.

Kim Rodrigues May 6, 2020 at 7:54 AM Congratulations on POTD! Rob Carmack May 6, 2020 at 6:06 PM TY Kim.

Charles Messina May 6, 2020 at 4:58 AM Awesome tribute to a great friend and poet. Congrats on POTD, Rob. Stay well! Rob Carmack May 6, 2020 at 6:05 PM Thanks Charles. You stay well too.

Paula Goldsmith May 5, 2020 at 10:58 PM Congratulations on your POTD win. I have written about friends. A great friend is the best. Enjoy your day and your win....... Rob Carmack May 6, 2020 at 12:41 AM Nothing like a struggle to help bond a friendship. TY Paula and God Bless You.

Sam Kauffman May 4, 2020 at 10:00 PM Rob, contratulations on your POTD - strong and powerful. Rob Carmack May 5, 2020 at 10:19 PM My thanks Sam.

Arturo Michael May 4, 2020 at 8:13 AM Vain but beautified...would end up breaking the mirror...Congratulations Rob on POTD... Rob Carmack May 4, 2020 at 11:38 AM Thank You Arturo.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart May 4, 2020 at 7:23 AM I congratulate you for POTD Rob, and applaud you whole heatedly for this piece. xomo Rob Carmack May 4, 2020 at 11:38 AM TY for reading and commenting Maureen.

Lin Lane May 4, 2020 at 7:19 AM Rob, your honoring of Mark's stance is one I admire. He always stands on the side of what is right, and so do you. I'd like to give each of you a white hat to proudly wear. You're both heroes to me. 2 big hugs Rob Carmack May 4, 2020 at 11:38 AM Thank You Lin. Hugs back to you. I am glad we have become friends.

Jan Allison May 4, 2020 at 6:36 AM Dropping back with my congrats on POTD:-) hugs Jan xx Rob Carmack May 4, 2020 at 11:36 AM Thank you Jan. Have to cube the hugs this time.

Tom Cunningham May 4, 2020 at 2:32 AM What a glowing tribute to Mark, yes I fully agree with your discription of him Rob And a well deserved POTD honour for you. Tom Rob Carmack May 4, 2020 at 11:35 AM TY very much Tom.

Robert Lindley May 3, 2020 at 5:30 PM Words of truth always exude greatest power my friend. Those that sacrifice to help others so often take poison arrows for their brave and honorable efforts. Such is part of the venom that evil and darkness spews. I hope that this gets awarded POTW. A fav.. God bless... Rob Carmack May 4, 2020 at 11:35 AM Robert, thank you. I feel honored and blessed to have become your friend.

Jan Allison May 3, 2020 at 2:56 AM A lovely tribute to Mark, he has the guts to speak out a man of integrity just like Teppo who I miss so much :-) hugs Jan xx Jan Allison May 4, 2020 at 6:37 AM oh brilliant thanks so much Tom I am relieved I'd mailed and not heard anything back:-) hugs jan xx Tom Cunningham May 4, 2020 at 2:34 AM Jan, Bobby May was on just over a week ago, said he was busy but would be back. Rob Carmack May 3, 2020 at 12:49 PM YW concerning the donation. I am glad to hear that the newspaper helped out with a front page feature. I hope all is well with Bobby May. Hugs squared. Jan Allison May 3, 2020 at 12:30 PM Yeah they did a newspaper front page on his achievements so I expect the total to rise and thanks again for donating so generously. I miss Lin, miss TJ miss so many who are no longer active or have left the site. am concerned about Bobby May i've mailed him and no contact or poems since January:-( hugs jan xx Rob Carmack May 3, 2020 at 11:56 AM Teppo and Lin too. We have lost so many over the years. I see Bob is now over 20K.