Just Saying My Piece

When Poetry Soup becomes infested with partisan rubbish, 
It will be difficult for liberal, creative poets, like me to flourish 
Who seek a safe place away from the maddening ignorance 
Of those people who continually despise political difference 
For those who are angry and want to say the nastiest things 
Do you have any idea what hurt your insatiable blather brings? 

For some who don’t consider me a red-blooded American patriot, 
I fought for the U.S. of A. in uniform when you were still just a tot! 
I would rather die on the altar of honor than continually be castigated 
By followers of a “wannabe” dictator who every day prevaricated 
And sought to drag our country down into the muck and mire 
Continues, to this day, stoking his sycophants’ hatred with fire.

Selecting a political putdown of President Joseph Biden for Poem of the Day 
Was surely inappropriate if Poetry Soup administrators wish to say 
The site maintains neutrality when it comes to political discourse 
It encouraged poets, in their remarks, to choose up sides, of course 
Anger and vitriol hurled toward us who are of more left-leaning mind 
Will likely now become commonplace for those who are not so inclined. 

Frankly, I despise clicking on a poem I think will be worth reading 
Only to find, instead, an anti-American tirade of invective leading 
To put-downs against our president, the vice-president, and first lady 
Half-truths and conspiracy theories that, for the most part, are shady 
If you are unhappy with the free and fair election that turned out your man 
Then, every chance you get, go vote and change the system, if you can! 

Our country is not, I think we’d all agree, a perfect democracy 
We have lots of problems and crises – that's plain to see, but, 
We now have a leader who cares about doing what is right 
A man, who in short-order, is ready, committed, and willing to fight. 
I have travelled the world over, north and south, east and west 
Freedom to flourish in America is head and shoulders above the rest! 


Written:  April 4, 2021 (edited)

Awarded Poem of the Day on Poetry Soup
April 5, 2021

#38 on Best New Poems on Poetry Soup
April 6, 2021
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Horsman Avatar
December 28, 2022 at 7:02 PM
Not having read this until you passed Milt, reminds me of 'Only the good die young' Always am i at the back of the queue in comments and poems to my favourites, yet my appreciation still is genuine and sincere, and my love for your poetry and opinions mate will never die. Once again, RIP my friend with Deb......To my Favourite 11.00am, 29/12/2022, Western Australia time. Perth. Australia.
Sambourne Avatar
September 26, 2021 at 12:09 PM
Hello Milton, This posting is superb! Hard hitting + truthful. Really enjoyed reading the piece that has such passion. Congratulations! Thank you, too, for your thoughtful support of my poem "Afghanistan." The positive comment you left encouraged me to leave the poem as is. You're a good, fine man, Milton, + a gifted poet. Best wishes. Brian
Hankins Avatar
September 26, 2021 at 12:17 PM
Well, thank you, Brian. Such nice, thoughtful things to say to me, and I want you to know I appreciate it so much. I don't know how "gifted" I am, but I do try...can I get an "amen" for that??? Have a wonderful week ahead, Brian.
Freeman Avatar
June 2, 2021 at 9:37 PM
It's probably just my own prediliction but I found the metre a bit jolting. It didn't quite flow of my tongue as I read it aloud. It was a bit more like prose in parts .... good prose ... but prose. To take a line that I thought scanned well ... "And sought to drag ....... muck and mire". It has a consistent iamb but the next line "Continues, ..... hatred with fire." might be improved by removing 'to this day' and finding a two sylable synonym for sycophants e.g. cronies' or minions'
Hankins Avatar
June 2, 2021 at 9:44 PM
Thanks, Barry. But, since it was awarded Poem of the Day, I hesitate to change it. It was also selected as one of PS's favorite poems. Anyway....
Freeman Avatar
May 27, 2021 at 2:10 PM
Poetically, a little bit strained but I agree with every word. Stay courageous!
Hankins Avatar
May 27, 2021 at 6:03 PM
By the way, Barry, where was it "a little bit strained?" I'll work some more on it.
Hankins Avatar
May 27, 2021 at 6:02 PM
Perhaps, but lots of people seemed to like it. Welcome and thanks for your read, Barry. I appreciated your comment.
Fleming Avatar
May 1, 2021 at 12:34 PM
A worthy piece of poetry, L.M.H...both sincere and uncompromising in its contentions. Bravo! Best regards -- cheers! :) john
Gauthier Avatar
April 18, 2021 at 3:33 PM
Well penned ~ congrats on your POTD, Milton
Hankins Avatar
April 18, 2021 at 6:29 PM
Thanks so much for your congrats, Line. I really appreciate it.
Proxenos Avatar
April 7, 2021 at 10:51 AM
Proudly American, well penned Milton. i enjoy poems where poets speak their minds. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Hankins Avatar
April 7, 2021 at 12:41 PM
Thanks so much, Jennifer. I had no idea this poem would receive such attention. It is heart-warming, though. Your comment is so appreciated.
Kavanagh  Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 1:26 PM
Goddamn Milton, this is brilliant, I honestly did not read it before now, you speak for most upstanding Americans here, and indeed level headed people around the world, USA is strong, a force of nature, nobody is going to mess around with your country, this political propaganda “poetry” is feeding off the COVID crisis, nothing else, cheers David
Hankins Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Ah, thanks, David. I appreciate your read and your confidence. Also, your comment in general. Have a terrific evening.
Kavanagh  Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 1:29 PM
And this poem is a more than worthy potd, so well written and from the heart, by a real poet,
Wolf Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 7:19 AM
I too am a little behind on POTD's... Back with congrats to you, Milt, on POTD. Best wishes, Gershon
Hankins Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 8:42 AM
Thanks so much, Gershon. I just said what I had to say.
Kitchin Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 3:09 AM
Sorry, I missed this yesterday, a belated congratulations on POTD and well done!
Hankins Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 8:42 AM
Thanks, Tania. I'm glad you found the poem interesting and thanks for the "well done!"
Summers Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 10:38 PM
Congratulations on receiving POTD honors . For me, “every chance you get, go vote and change the system,” says it all. John
Hankins Avatar
April 6, 2021 at 8:43 AM
That about says it all, John. Took me four stanzas to get there. Thanks for your kind comment.
Seeker Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 8:15 PM
Bravo! Congrats on POTD
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 8:21 PM
Thanks, Unseeking Seeker. I appreciate your thoughts.
Mchattie Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 6:16 PM
I disagree. It is not that poems about political discourse are bad. It's that as a rule they are badly written. If the poem does not advance their argument, then it is a poor poem. Saying someone is 'nice and cares' is not an argument. As for hoping this is a safe space where you will not be challenged... learn to 'turn the other cheek.' Stay well my friend.
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 7:10 PM
David, I appreciate your comments. I don't think I was presenting an argument, at all. As the title says, I was " Just Saying My Piece." I suppose every reader can interpret ever how they wish. You see, I got tired of turning "the other cheek" when some person from another country kept dissing my country and its good president. Period!
Fenn Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 2:03 PM
Hey L Milton! Congrats on POTD! Thank you for your service to our country. I agree with what this poem says.
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 7:07 PM
Thanks, Jennifer. It's very heartening to find folks who agree. I hope now that I have said my piece, we can lay all of these political diatribes to rest.
Poet Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 2:01 PM
Congratulations on this POD. It's an extraordinary poem showing many reflections and thoughts that we might share, but you significantly penned all of them; I know you deserve it and even more. Good luck, Milton, and best wishes.
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 7:06 PM
Ah, thanks so much, Lasaad. I appreciate you. Your thoughts and comments are well-taken.
Lawless Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 12:32 PM
ah yes, another installment in the Politics Of The Day.....have we all forgotten the admonition..."to avoid controversy please refrain from talking about POLITICS, RELIGION or GRANDMA'S APPLE PIE
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Thanks for your comment, John. This is not just another installment. I have been reading other's garbage for a long time, and I felt it was time I spoke up for my country and my poetry site. I said my piece, and I have no more to say about any of the above "forbotten" topics...and least I hope. And, hopefully, I've put an end to some of the crap!
La France Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Milt, congratulations on your well written POEM OF THE DAY. I am Canadian and therefore interested in the USA happenings. Your poem had all the emotions, courage (your service to your country, thank you), your pride of the USA, your disappointments of things happening, your frustration, your anger, and a touch of sadness too, well done _Constance
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 1:17 PM
Thank you so much, Constance. It means a lot to me that you (I knew you are Canadian) would respond so positively to a piece I thinks time had come. Anyway, I got it out of my system...I think! I hoped, indeed, that my poem showed all of the things you mentioned, so I guess I succeeded.
Y. Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 10:39 AM
Hi L. Milton, I’m just coming back to give you a Big congratulations on getting the poem of day. It was well deserved. Have a wonderful day:-) Alexis
Hankins Avatar
September 26, 2021 at 12:26 PM
Thanks so much for your kindsness, Alexis. I am so sorry I must have skipped over your comments earlier. I apologize, and hope this will suffice in offering my thanks.
Roper Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 9:59 AM
Awesome write, Milton, my husband passed spent 20 years of his life in the Navy, he would be proud of your words as I am. Congratulations on POTD and thank you for your service. Hugs Eve
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 10:10 AM
Thanks, Eve. I appreciate your remarks, and I am proud of your husband, too. My father was a Navy man.
Jayasankar Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 9:52 AM
Congrats Milton on your POTD with this wonderful poem. God bless.. ~ Ani
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 10:09 AM
Thank you so much, Anitha. It was so nice to hear from you.
Peck Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 8:35 AM
Bravo, Milton, for saying what so many of us think! Poetry soup shouldn't devolve into political tweets! I feel we can speak our minds poetically (see my poem, "Today I Saw Democracy Die) and not encourage anger and hate. Also, thank you for your service to our country! You're very appreciated.
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 9:37 AM
Ann, thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments. I appreciated your response very much.
Rone Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 7:59 AM
Thank you for your service to our country. Thank you for you support of the PS community. Thank you for your thoughtful output and the skillful beauty in which it is always framed.
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 9:36 AM
Ken, I appreciate your comment so much. Let's keep PS the marvelous community for creative writers and thinkers it is.
Sands Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 7:35 AM
Congratulations for POTD. We all have the right to express our feelings. Also thank you for your service. The division disturbs me immensely. Especially, here. However, I am curious about what conspiracy theories there are or the facts showing them and I do wonder why 4 years of bashing president Trump is ok when things negative said about President Biden is off limits?
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 9:35 AM
Thanks for your read, Heidi. Yes, we do all have the right to express our opinions, I agree, but I hate to see Poetry Soup politicized. I have found PS to be a loving community filled with awesome folks. I don't want to see that evaporate. I have a response to your questions, but, I just don't think this is the place to offer it. Love and best wishes to a fine poet...Heidi Sands! I enjoy your poems so much.
May Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 7:30 AM
Conspiracy theories are what they offer as their twisted truths, The biggest conspiracy theory was that Biden stole the election, which led to the Capitol riots. Congrats on POTD Milton..
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 9:33 AM
Thank you so much, Joseph. Yes, we have come through a trying time in America, but I'm hopeful for the future.
Pigeon Tart Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 7:18 AM
Congratulations on POTD Milton, xomo!
Hankins Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 9:32 AM
Thank you ever so much, Maureen.
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