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One Hope

I guess I'm obsessed With keeping my breath I've small use for obtuse youth And their smug, shrugging abuse Blinding meeker minds By the blither of twitter Where shameless selfishness Is seen as glitter Where 'fake' news and 'reality' TV Both struck by theft of identity Our testaments and towns Are burning to the ground Those with nothing to lose Are lighting the fuse When corruption erupts And common sense, chucked When science is declawed And law is outlawed When propaganda censors flaws We've cast the last straw We are democracy's One hope ~ If we vote. 9/16/20 N/A in 'Clutching at Straws' contest Judged 10/08/20

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Constance La France

Date: 11/8/2020 5:34:00 AM

Michelle, congratulations on your win in my HM's and NA's October 2020 Challenge _Constance

Susan Ashley

Date: 11/6/2020 8:25:00 AM

Michelle, your incising poetic pen spills with social commentary that captures all the angst and frustration of a hopeful voting nation with clever use of poetic devices and the powerful beauty of your awesome poetic expression. Every line is precious in value to the spirit of this piece. A fav! Congratulations for your fine win in Constance's contest.. ~Susan

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 9/24/2020 10:57:00 AM

The whole world is watching American Politics, wish you could recruit some from poetry soup!!! Hope things work out the way you want them to Michelle, Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.

Janice Canerdy

Date: 9/19/2020 6:40:00 AM

Powerful piece, Michelle--direct and descriptive. Janice

Gershon Wolf

Date: 9/17/2020 5:41:00 PM

Thought it might be POTD. Guessed wrong, 'I guess.' Great write, gw. btw, I think that 'if we vote' reaches a lot deeper than a simple Maybe we will; maybe we won't. Kudos, Gershon

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 9/18/2020 3:06:00 PM

Thanks for your support, gw, but I didn't expect this would be POTD, a little too forward for that!

John Watt

Date: 9/17/2020 1:37:00 PM

Michelle, there is a fine line between bitterness and justifiable indignation; between selfish anger at status quo and a visionary plea for improvement. I believe you are on the right side of that line, and I'm glad you decided to keep this posted. Hoping many others read and take heart. It's easy to fall into a fatalistic despair and withdraw our vote and silence our voice.

John Watt

Date: 9/17/2020 9:40:00 AM

I relish the sight of your pen and distinctive style being used to awaken the populace with a call to fight for what's right with ballot in hand. The vote is democracy's bullhorn to speak in waves that are stronger than any single tyrant or liar can withstand. Your staccato style works perfectly for this kind of clarion call, and your clever wordplay (e.g., 'blither of twitter seen as glitter') and alliterative phrases convert strong emotions into controlled poetry. Wonderfully stated, Michelle

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 9/17/2020 11:40:00 AM

I am glad for your support, on re-reading this it did strike me as bitter and unsettling, I was considering removing it, but because of your encouragement I will leave it - not all poetry is 'nice' and sometimes blunt words need to be used, but I will nicely say, thank you!

Rico Leffanta

Date: 9/16/2020 11:19:00 AM

Yes, it must be Vulcanites World Heritage Day - and there won't be much left to celebrate! Stay safe! Aloha! Rico

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 9/16/2020 12:53:00 PM

Live long and Prosper, Rico (btw, Saturday is officially Talk Like a Pirate Day - ahoy, matey!)

Daniel Turner

Date: 9/16/2020 10:11:00 AM

The political overtones in this poem make it hard to comment. So I will say good job, Michelle. It is crucial that everyone gets out the vote. There is a lot of work to be done!

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 9/16/2020 12:51:00 PM

I know this is somewhat more blunt than some of my other poems, but I think the time to be polite is past - we need to stand up for our rights, and voting is our voice - I am glad you took the time to comment, it is appreciated.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 9/16/2020 10:01:00 AM

Your last stanza sums it up Michelle, only by voting in the right candidate who if voted in keeps their election promises. Tom

Michelle Faulkner
Date: 9/16/2020 12:50:00 PM

Yes, this year getting out the vote is crucial - thank you for your astute comment-