Machete

you and i were the 'good kids'
only spoke when spoken to
never picked a fight
didn't color outside the lines

later we learned that they
were sifting through all our art
ascertaining who lay on the
extremities of the bell curve
who might have a troubled home life
     and/or
who might have an aptitude for fine art
... we were somewhere in the middle

                                  fast forward thirty years or so...

we discovered a magic quill
that served as a machete
clearing out the underbrush
of this dense jungle we call
life

we learned to think outside 
the quadrilateral parallelogram
and found the outer rim
of that bell curve

we no longer raised our hands
waiting to be called on
we delved deep and found
a singular 
phenomenon
inside us -

our voice
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Godleske Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 12:47 PM
Merci!!!
Watt Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 1:39 PM
je t'en prie!
Godleske Avatar
July 15, 2023 at 12:48 PM
Beaucoup !!!
Gauthier Avatar
March 12, 2020 at 10:41 PM
Cool ~ love how you start and end this poem... and the journey in between. really enjoyed this poem, John.
Watt Avatar
March 13, 2020 at 12:12 AM
Thank you so much, Line. It seems cliche, but I've been doing a lot of writing about writing lately. Glad to know this struck a resonant chord.
Marcum Wong Avatar
February 10, 2020 at 2:44 AM
Your poem is so inspiring John. The passing years along with experience teaches us to use that voice! I love the way you have expressed that power which lies within us. Beautiful! Congratulations on your deserving first place! xxoo
Watt Avatar
February 11, 2020 at 12:43 AM
Connie, this mean a lot coming from you. You have been a valued and consistent voice of encouragement to writers for many years. I hope to follow in your footsteps and encourage others to hear their inner voice and write what they hear. ~ John
Adams Avatar
February 9, 2020 at 12:01 PM
congratulations on your first place win with this beauty.... hugs
Watt Avatar
February 9, 2020 at 7:07 PM
Thank you Sandra for stopping by to read this one. As I mentioned to you earlier, free verse is a style in which I'm trying to grow. Hugs ~ John
Rodrigues Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Yes! Exactly!
Watt Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 8:55 PM
Thank you Kim for your enthusiasm! Always nice to know you stopped by ~ John
Devonshire Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 3:09 PM
Everything we do helps shape our personalities. I like the way you used math to show how they found the outer edges of the bell curve. Children want to be heard and you have given them a "voice." Beautifully penned, John! Best wishes, Carolyn
Watt Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 7:58 PM
Carolyn, nice to hear from you again - thank you for the read and the thoughtful comment. Warmest regards ~ John
Bauer Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 12:57 PM
bravo! hope you get a win, john - very deserving of it!
Watt Avatar
February 8, 2020 at 7:57 PM
Thank you, Ilene! Happy writing ~ John
Dietrich Avatar
February 7, 2020 at 6:31 PM
FANTASTIC. Gotta fave it!!!
Watt Avatar
February 7, 2020 at 6:34 PM
Thanks for the fave! This one means a lot to me.
Kauffman Avatar
February 7, 2020 at 6:17 PM
John, This is very special. Love the metaphor and it takes courage to hear and listen to "our voice." Nice work!
Watt Avatar
February 7, 2020 at 6:32 PM
I appreciate your kind words, Sam. I feel like writers need to be encouraged to find their voice and use it for good. With courage, as you say. Blessings ~ John
Michael Avatar
February 7, 2020 at 6:14 PM
I first listen to the voice and I can see...Nice write...
Watt Avatar
February 7, 2020 at 6:30 PM
Arturo, I'm grateful for your visit and your thoughtful comment. Peace ~ John
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