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Censored

Poets whose hands are tied
     voices silenced
Deviate from issues
     Tragedies that plague our hearts

Others are free to read 
     what appeals to them
Why should we not write
    about concerns with strong implications

I bow to the lovers who revel 
     in nature’s beauty
And the brave 
     who write about their faith

But there is more to consider
     issues that don’t make for easy reading
Mankind’s inhumanity 
     or a leader’s failures

Take the challenge, tell us
     what is really on your mind
Even if I don’t agree with what you say
     I’ll defend your right to say it

It is a wordsmith’s duty
     Tell it like it is





* October 15, 2020
For Beth Evans’ “A Poet’s Duty” contest

introspectionfree verse

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Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 11/15/2020 12:29:00 PM

Your poetic talent my friend shines like the brightest star in the sky. a brilliant write - congratulations my dear friend on your win. Blessings, and hugs, Jennifer.

Paul Schneiter

Date: 11/13/2020 9:30:00 PM

Carolyn, I admire your call for courage in composition and the poetic skill with which you articulate it. "Free speech" must be more than a comfy-sounding term. Hugs xxx Paul

John Hamilton

Date: 11/7/2020 12:57:00 PM

A wonderful write Carolyn congrats on a great write and win!

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 11/7/2020 2:10:00 PM

Thank you, John. I'll check your page!

Jack Horne

Date: 10/22/2020 12:20:00 PM

yes, such truth here, hon - so pleased you liked the scary poem x

Harry Horsman

Date: 10/21/2020 6:09:00 AM

A mission statement for all that is fair and circumstance. I dwell on every word you write, Carolyn, it's a strange world, we live in, when despots seem to have had their way for an eternity. And today you are so right your first stanza sets a wonderful and telling poem off in motion...It's landed in my favourites, even before i pressed the button..

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 11/7/2020 2:16:00 PM

You are always so kind, Harry. Thank you for reading!

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 10/21/2020 4:59:00 AM

It’s a wordsmith’s duty! Congratulations!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/20/2020 7:15:00 PM

You have done much more than inspire me -- as you can see! Congrats, Carolyn on your win in the contest! ~ &^@#$%$#@, Uncensored! :) gw

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 10/18/2020 6:10:00 AM

- Lies and falsehood are hard to relate to ... give of truth and heart ... a lovely poem, Carolyn :) - Best wishes in the contest :) - Have a great Sunday :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 10/17/2020 6:08:00 AM

I agree with you my friend, we should write exactly what we feel, -' about Mankind's inhumanity, or a leaders failures ..........It is a wordsmith's duty Tell it as it is'. Bravo Carolyn, Kudo's my friend. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/16/2020 8:13:00 PM

thanks for what you said below and for your wonderful Halloween contest. You are an amazing poet!

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 10/16/2020 4:26:00 PM

Hello Caroline … well written Caroline. A poets duty is to write their feelings and if readers don’t agree that becomes their problem, not the poets - thank you Caroline - Lindsay

Charmaine Chircop

Date: 10/16/2020 2:02:00 PM

Even if I dont agree with all you say,I ll defend your right to say it-Freedom of Speech and democracy at it's best.Fantastic write with a wise message.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 4:13:00 PM

It's so nice to see you on Soup, Charmaine. I'll check your page to see if you're writing again!

Gordon Mcconnell

Date: 10/16/2020 1:53:00 PM

Nicely penned Carolyn, it's always good to tell it as it is. Have great day, Gordon

Mark Koplin

Date: 10/16/2020 1:36:00 PM

A Wordsmith's Duty indeed!! Great poem!

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 10/16/2020 1:29:00 PM

Love how you paraphrase Jefferson - I may not agree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it - yes we should push ourselves out of our comfort zones and write what we believe, even if - and maybe because - it will upset the waters - hoping for a win for you in the contest!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 10/18/2020 4:59:00 PM

Wow, I always thought Jefferson originated it - guess we learn something new every day :)

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 4:30:00 PM

Jefferson may have written something similar as it does seem to go with his beliefs.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 4:29:00 PM

Thanks for reading, Michelle. In "The Friends of Voltaire," Evelyn Beatrice Hall wrote the phrase: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" as an illustration of Voltaire's beliefs. This quotation – which is sometimes misattributed to Voltaire himself – is often cited to describe the principle of freedom of speech.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 10/16/2020 5:20:00 AM

Somehow I missed this yesterday my friend. Your poem speaks to many hearts who feel the same --as you can see from the comments below. A potent message in these lines..Take the challenge, tell us what is really on your mind..Even if I don’t agree with what you say I’ll defend your right to say it. Powerful write, Carolyn--I am saving in my FAVES.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 4:34:00 PM

Thank you, my friend. It seems we have freedom of speech, but rarely exercise it.

John Watt

Date: 10/15/2020 9:10:00 PM

Really wonderful writing, Carolyn! I agree with all you said, and I wish you all the best in Beth's contest. Hugs ~ John

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 4:44:00 PM

Thanks, John. I really enjoyed your poem about writing sonnets!

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/15/2020 6:57:00 PM

An important message in your verse Carolyn, well written. Tom

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/15/2020 6:11:00 PM

excellent message right there in the final couplet. Nobody disagrees with each other on current issues more than you and I do, but we are mature enough to handle it. Speak out loudly with your poetry, Carolyn. Thanks for your super contest and my win.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 4:47:00 PM

We disagree politically, but I've always admired your poetry, Andrea. I'm glad we've been able to handle our differences. Our friendship means a lot to me.

Rico Leffanta

Date: 10/15/2020 5:17:00 PM

Some lost soul may always be saved by reading the words of someone with the same thoughts, so write it down! Good luck in the contest! Aloha! Rico

Robert L. Hinshaw

Date: 10/15/2020 4:59:00 PM

Right on, Carolyn! I predict this one will be at the top of the list in the contest. Bob H

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 4:56:00 PM

Thanks, Bob. So nice to see you on Soup again. I'll check your page. Hugs, Carolyn

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/15/2020 2:53:00 PM

You're a brave one, Carolyn. Bravo, Gershon (Soup mail, please).

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 5:00:00 PM

Thanks, Gershon. I read your short poem on censorship. Excellent!

Silent One

Date: 10/15/2020 1:47:00 PM

I agree with your words, people should do things in a respectful manner and people should respond in respectful manner... but ego gets the better of some people... we should sometimes agree to disagree... liked your take on this contest..

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 10/16/2020 4:13:00 PM

Two of my closest friends have agreed to disagree with me. One, unfortunately, could not accept this, so we're no longer in touch. These are trying times...