Notes About The Poem

If you have a chance please visit this link. Seren Roberts did a brilliant job on this collaberation. I am honored to be associated to this write.

http://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/within_reason__maurice_yvonne_and_seren_roberts_624966

Multi-Tasking

Wearing wireless headphones as I listen to the news.
I'm outside watching children playing, taking in the views.
There is screaming in my ears two voices disagree.
A little girl serves her playmates imaginary tea.

They're speaking on the pod, unarmed victims shot by police.
Captives tortured in war. I hear our own. I hear their pleas!
There's screaming in my ear a few voices disagree.
Little girls sitting pretend to speak French saying Oui, Oui!

There are typhoons hitting an island, reminds me of a tsunami.
Also officials gathering parts of a plane shot down by an army.
What  happened to the plane that went missing, no one remembers.
Teenagers on the street play basketball great kids, great neighbors.

The president uses his pen, makes some politicians angry.
There is screaming in my ears so many voices disagree.
The girls skip rope, laughter fills the air and singing too.
 Pundits discuss, argue this and that it's what they do.
 Night and day is closer then these scholars and their degrees.
Theres screaming in my ear, voices, everyone disagrees.

The guys still shooting hoops, living the life, always polite.
Protests on the streets, the  police display their might.
Some back peaceful protests others speak accusingly.
There is screaming in my ears, crowds of voices disagree.

I wave goodbye to the boys, we'll talk, I'll see them again soon.
The children want me to skip rope I play along like a buffoon.
They laugh that I can't skip properly. I leave them to their play.
There's screaming in my ear, voices...might as well talk to clay

My sleep will be hard, in the morning the sun will shine, children will wake.
What kind of world will we leave, you smile and laugh but feel like a fake.
Look how well we have done. When did we stop being one, being mild.
What happened to being cohesive? It takes a village to raise a child.
There is too much screaming in my ears, too many voices disagree.
I can only pray, lend my voice to the calm, hope we can all agree.

11~12~2014
Maurice Yvonne
Sponsor: Cyndi MacMillan
Contest Name: I CAN'T BREATHE: A peaceful Protest, An Anthology of Powerful Poems
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Robinson Jr. Avatar
October 28, 2016 at 9:50 PM
I loved this poem, Maurice. The creative interweaving of auditory/visual dichotomy. Simply brilliant and it is framed by a most accurate poem title. Kudos to you. Love and joy to you, my friend. RW
Dietrich Avatar
April 18, 2015 at 11:30 PM
armand, it was so nice that Cyndi did an anthology like this so your poem can be showcased. you did such an incredible job here Congrats to you.
A   Avatar
April 18, 2015 at 6:33 PM
Hello, Maurice, So many do disagree, I love what you share, it was nice seeing Cyndi's "I CAN'T BREATHE, generous list." Hope you enjoyed the showcase of this powerful contest theme, thank you for sharing the message. XOX ~LINDA~
Hamilton Avatar
April 16, 2015 at 10:00 AM
superb Maurice and Seren congrats on win hugs 7
Chircop Avatar
December 14, 2014 at 9:33 AM
Aw this is powerful and gave me goosebumps..A fAv
Nance Avatar
December 13, 2014 at 7:33 AM
WOW!!! Oh man i think this is the best poem I have read in a long time- such depth and meaning. This would be rated higher than a 7 if I had more numbers to choose from, really this has impressed me beyond the smile I give you :) bravo
Lamoureux Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 9:11 AM
I came back to read the comments, this piece has evoked an emotional response from your readers. Bravo Maurice!
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 8:53 AM
I visualize the children playing and wonder what we are teaching them. Are we even trying to make the world a better place for the future? So many questions, too few answers, but with our pens, we can observe the world, take account, use our art to make a difference. You have done all of this and more, Maurice! Absolutely incredible and one I am fav'ing to read again and again! Hugs, Rhonda
Deschler Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 1:32 AM
There are so many problems in the world today, and the only way to fix them is to stop arguing and actually do something about it... Well, we can't fix everything, but we can teach our children for the future... This was an amazing piece of poetry from you, Maurice. Very thought provoking!
Lamoureux Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 12:31 AM
Fantastic!
Dietrich Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 11:33 PM
I see that the world is on your mind today! what a clever title for this well crafted write! I really enjoyed the way you repeated at the end of every verse "there is screaming in my ears.." It really emphasizes the problem and in a way, this could have been a villanelle poem. If you had come up with a second alternating line, and the same rhyme scheme all the way through, it would be an excellent villanelle. They are best when describing the "dark side!" I better get off here now. Good night!
Dietrich Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 11:28 PM
yes, I saw the collaboration and I faved it. you guys did a marvelous job!!!!
Roberts Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 7:24 PM
a day in the life of ......any country any where...this applies....great write Maurice....Seren
Smith Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 3:52 PM
It is frightening the world we are leaving for future generations...I have to wonder if our forefathers thought the same...excellent pen Maurice
Meade Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 3:49 PM
I agree with John below -- this is very good. I liked the way you pulled in your day -- searching, asking, wondering, hoping, praying . . . yes, this is our life and we need to continue to gather, to encourage, to value individuals, to love our neighbors . . . never stop writing my dear Maurice . . . it does make a difference, you make a difference. Fav,7
Fleming Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 3:04 PM
In my opinion, Maurice, this is, from what i have read of your pen, your best effort yet. It is a brilliant bit of writing; showing not just the society you yourself live in, but the world in general. An ever accelerating, interactive world almost surreal in a way. A world where a person can experience five lives in as many minutes...frightening!!! P.s just as i continually reshape my poems i do so believe you could keep coming back to this one. A superb piece of poetic clay!!! :) john.
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