gestures of free will


free speech is not to say what you think ~ said the blind man with a wry wink 

the deaf guy smiled as if it was wise ~ he could do morse code with his eyes 

a dumb man clapped sending out shockwaves ~ no idea we’re mortal slaves 

the mind reader thought he could see through ~ in truth neither he has a clue


By 
David Kavanagh
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Daniels Avatar
February 27, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Ha Ha Ha ! You are so good with Monoku. Last one here is hilarious. X.
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 27, 2026 at 4:08 PM
The Monoku seems to be my default form, for when my muse abandons me, I’m delighted you seen the humour in this one, cheers David
Empress Avatar
February 23, 2026 at 9:35 AM
Dear David, Youv always been a deep thinker and one who writes from such a deep place. What i gathered from this is that we are all flawed and clueless, no one knows whats really real. As of free will and free speech, about that, some may think im from an uncivilized country so i wouldnt know what it means. Hahah. But i think from a young age, unless you have some kind of disability, which makes you unaware of what could hurt someones feelings and what might not, we are taught to be gentle when stating opinions on subjects that could be a bit senstive? Or when commenting on also someones poetry as some of us write not for accolades but to express. I feel heavy whrn i dont write. Apologies for my typos. My new manicure has been a pain! Haha. Pleasure reading you today! And ofcourse this is a new fave for me cus you always make me contemplate and think of a soul level! Sending you light today and always
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 23, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Heya Ink I am perhaps too deep a thinker for my own good, but that’s what the human condition threw at me, so I must go with it, flaws and all! I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I do know what way I sense the world around me, just like the metaphorical guys in my poem do, it’s the ones that claim to have all the answers and can read our minds that we need to be wary of, I’m pretty sure you could travel the world, and nobody would ever find you uncivilised :) thanks so much for the great comment and fave, you totally get this one, cheers David
Kitchin Avatar
February 22, 2026 at 8:33 AM
David, a great string of monoku's. I enjoyed them, thought provoking and humorous.
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 22, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Heya Tania, thought provoking will do me any day of the week :) always nice when these Monoku’s come together, thanks so much, cheers David
Lane Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 2:56 PM
David, there are times when I wish you wouldn’t allow comments on your poetry. Comments made below are perfect examples as to why. My character has been assumed by those who have never met me and yet they point fingers, judging me as an aggressor. Those who never see their true image in a mirror. I’d choose a blind man and a deaf guy any day of the week over a hypocrite. I apologize for taking my comments off course but you already know my thoughts on the wealth to be found in your poetry.
Lane Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Blocking doesn’t always keep the needle nose mosquito from attempting to bite. I’ve become immune to the attention seeker.
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Hey there Lin, I choose to let all and sundry comment on my poems, even though the same opportunity hasn’t always been afforded to me, and still isn’t in some cases, nobody below has me blocked at the moment, I do understand what you’re saying about being judged by people we have never met, unfortunately it goes on all over the internet, but I’d never consider that by standing your ground you become the aggressor, thanks so much for finding a little wealth in my poetry, cheers David
G  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 11:09 AM
Wow I step away for a second and it's like a party over here! Standing room only :) everyone loves a poem that leaves room for interpretation - I enjoy seeing different takes on the same words. Well done for such a popular Saturday night soirée :)
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Welcome back you party animal, yes some words have so many different takes, a bit like free speech lol! Was great to see my little Monokus well received tonight :)
Allison Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 10:31 AM
lol David you sure have a string of fab monoku i especially like the first one:-) hugs jan xx
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Heya Jan, that first one definitely set the pace, the middle one is probably my favourite, I might even add another one as an afterthought haha! Thanks so much for stopping by, cheers David
Goldsmith Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 7:29 AM
I enjoyed reading your powerful short write.  Making the reader think is a good thing. Have a fun day/weekend writing away..............
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Thanks Paula, it’s always good to make the reader think for themselves, rather than telling them how they should think, enjoy your weekend, cheers David
Cunningham Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 6:51 AM
Hot topic at the moment David, even body language says a lot good or bad without opening your mouth. Enjoy your weekend.. Tom
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 8:27 AM
Indeed it does Tom, sometimes it’s easier to play around with the concept of free will/speech, rather than using it as a pretext to further an agenda, have a good one too, cheers David
Rodrigues Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 5:49 AM
Too funny
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 6:43 AM
Thanks Kim, one can but laugh at absurdity sometimes, cheers David
G  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Ahh, the undercurrents & the tells are always there for those with acute senses! In free speech with genuine intent you'll not find posturing or performative acts - grandstanding gives the game away. I love the intelligence within your layers David - the opposite of one-dimensional literalists spouting rhetoric about free speech. You recognise & respect nuance, interpretation, intent & showcase with skill. The biggest tell (& this applies to you too) is mapping integrity of words to actions. As I've said before - the other value in free speech is always in the reveal - it's very telling :)
G  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Of course Jan! Whilst you are here, please let me pin on your integrity badge :)
Allison Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 10:32 AM
ooh can I jump in lol. am smiling at David's comment especially lol!:-) :-)
G  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Haha!
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 8:51 AM
And don’t forget their well callused finger tips from jumping in and out of other people’s comments boxes :)
G  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Haha I'm imaging the one-dimensional literalists stood with their agenda on a clipboard (or the electronic equivalent) now - most certainly with isolated well developed calves from jumping on soapboxes lol
Kavanagh  Avatar
February 21, 2026 at 5:35 AM
Thanks so much Miss Laurentine, this is what freethinking thinkers do I think lol! I appreciate you taking the time to read it closely, I’ve always been fascinated by the little signals people give, the things that aren’t said outright, it means a lot to hear someone picked up on that. Your point about integrity and the reveal really hit home, as for those one dimensional literalists they can’t see past their own agendas , cheers David
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