Leave Apathy Behind- 2021

“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.”
	- Plato


In the shadows where nightmares thrive,
courage falters and struggles to survive.
Where the cries of innocence fall unheard,
and darkness engulfs without a sound.

Sex traffickers, predators invisible,
prey upon the vulnerable, a nightmare’s dream.
Still, in the face of fear we hesitate,
lacking the valor to confront their loathing.

The chains of child labor bind innocence tight,
yet we turn away from their silent cries.
For the cost of action, we shrink in alarm,
leaving the unprotected as virtue’s sacrifice.

Drugs weave their web, a plague upon our streets,
but confronting the issue we dare not speak.
In the grip of addictions’ cruel hold
we falter, losing our lifeblood day by day.

The IRS looms large, a fearsome sight,
intimidating and making the bravest yield.
Afraid to challenge, afraid to dissent,
we surrender, lacking strength to face their power.

Against cops and responders, some may protest
their authority, as the barricade draws near.
But in the face of unfairness we pause,
fearful of the consequences we may create.

Yet in the heart of darkness, a flicker radiates,
a spark of courage among the lines.
In the face of fear, true heroes rise,
to confront injustice and leave apathy behind.

Let us find the courage to stand,
hand-in-hand, against the tides of evil.
United and brave, we’ll find our might
and bring light to the darkness, and justice pursue.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Young Avatar
February 5, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Sharon, Lovely poems. Beautiful imagery and thought. Food for the soul. Marlene
Chapman Avatar
February 4, 2025 at 7:57 PM
I've finally received a poem that doesn't have 'forced' rhyme and no mention of the god crutch, Leave Apathy Behind. Plato's quote is very similar to the one attributed to Edmund Burke, 'The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing.' Merrick Garland and Joe Biden, please take note. Keep up the good work, Sharron. I have a couple of suggestions but don't want to overstay the welcome.
Delaney-Barron Avatar
February 4, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Sharon, in a world with so much turmoil, your poetry is brave and bold. THANK YOU for expressing the truth and what often goes unspoken. Your form and style create the perfect vehicle for such meaningful words. I don’t follow many poets on Poetrysoup but I will follow you. I am so happy to have found your work!!!
Baatz  Avatar
February 4, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Deep and packed with truth. We fear facing consequences yet we suffer in fear. Hoping things will resolve themselves. We need to take a stand and become part of the solution.
Gifford Avatar
February 3, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Hello Sharron, this is a brilliant write. Thank you for sharing. Our World is in a mess, It is sad that complaining don’t work, as those who can’t help listen, and those who can don’t. Still we mustn’t give up on making a difference. Wishing you a wonderful new week ahead.
Supsup Avatar
February 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
How true...'fearful of the consequences we may create'. Yet, 'in the face of fear, true heroes rise'. Powerful.
Beaufort Avatar
February 3, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Sharon, you raise a profound question. What does it take to stand up to injustice? There’s no shortage of abuses we could take a stand against. I’m trying to figure out how to best do this in my own life. I’ve been in street protests, but it doesn’t seem to do the trick. We have to stand up no matter where we see really bad things. Smiles!!
Richards Avatar
October 17, 2024 at 9:34 AM
I have mixed feelings about this poem, Sharon. It is a tough subject to write about. The first two and final two stanzas appealed to me. I will return later and read it again with fresh eyes.
Read-Lambert Avatar
October 18, 2024 at 12:17 PM
Thank you, Suzette. Yes, it was difficult and took many weeks to write. I wrote this a year ago. If you have further comment, I am open.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace