John Lawless Poet Prose Poetry

For What Is Power

FOR WHAT IS POWER


For what is power?

A dream, a vision, a destiny? 

All un-achievable because….

Because we accept the definition handed down by those in power.
Power is strength.  Strength is power.

Rosa Parks had strength, she exhibited power,
not in muscle or machismo but in her presence, in her tenacity,
in her steadfastness.  Rosa Parks was empowered
by her strength - to act.

Ghandi had strength, cloth wrapped, sinewy strength.
He exhibited power, in his defiance, his belief.
He shed blood, his own, while refusing to strike back
at those who struck him but at the laws and mores that
permitted such actions.  He was empowered
by his strength – to act.

They did not wait to become empowered,
did not seek validation of their strength,
became the empowering strength for others.

Martin Luther King was not empowered by his dream,
he drew his strength from it,
used that strength to empower others
to find their strength, to stand, to march,
to defy, to unify – to act.

And what of us?  Will we acknowledge our strength?
Will we use that strength to empower others
to find their strength?  Or will we deny that strength
and hope to find empowerment elsewhere.


John G. Lawless
7/10/2014
for Verlena S. Walker  contest-Strength Empowers
((sorry Verlena, I blew the line count))

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Poet Destroyer A July 29, 2014 at 12:30 PM Hello, John! A powerful thought and theme... Verlena, has the most outrageous contest on the soup so far. She is awesome. I enjoyed viewing all the winning poems on her list. Congratulations, on making her list... XOX :) LINDA

Joseph May July 25, 2014 at 8:58 PM Your poem has power....congrats on a great win

Casarah Nance July 25, 2014 at 7:07 PM Great references! well done win

Mohan Chutani July 25, 2014 at 10:50 AM a lovely top winner, John, congrats. Mohan

Dr. Upma A. Sharma July 25, 2014 at 10:41 AM Wonderful enough John! Motivational great write indeed ! Congrats on top place win!

Robert Lindley July 25, 2014 at 8:12 AM Congrats on the top win. Your fine write inspired and reminded us of the greatness of self-sacrifice! Bravo!!!

D.W. Rodgers July 25, 2014 at 7:58 AM Well don, of such stuff is history made. Congrats on your win.

Arlene Smith July 25, 2014 at 4:26 AM Congrats on top win with this inspiring write, John, my friend.. Hugs.. Arlene John Lawless July 25, 2014 at 7:50 AM Thank you Arlene for reading and commenting always good to hear from you.

Verlena S. Walker July 24, 2014 at 10:43 PM Congratulations John on winning a first spot in my contest. This verse, cited, as well as the entire passage |empowers|! "And what of us? Will we acknowledge our strength? Will we use that strength to empower others to find their strength? Or will we deny that strength and hope to find empowerment elsewhere." Verlena :0))s. John Lawless July 25, 2014 at 7:49 AM Verlena, thank you for your time and effort in sponsoring the contest. This theme was a thought provoking on many levels. Thanks for the inspiration.