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The Price of Free Will

Medicine Hat Appaloosa
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Remember free will too has been gifted,
with freedom allied to fate's fickle choice.
Tendered words uttered still..now uplifted, 
God provides each one a life and a voice.

Ere life ebbs and scrimshaw scrolled hands beckon, 
find strength in Medicine Hat horse's paint.
Flesh prized and spirit bold, yet to reckon,
respectful head bowed, pray it isn't too late.

Of sarcasm's sharp sword, one can ill afford,
cursed hubris' price which is never repaid.
The cost of soul's vows torn in broken chord, 
word's sting or solemn praised tapestry made.

To cheat one's own heart with standard-less staff,
turned now to stone, to write lone epitaph.

Poet's note: The Medicine Hat Appaloosa is the poem.

Quoth TheRaven - 7 July 2019

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Andrea Dietrich Date: 10/16/2020 8:11:00 PM just stopping by poem numero uno to say hello and thanks for the recent visit Login to Reply

Robert Kinard Date: 1/5/2020 1:44:00 PM Nice and interesting. Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 11/17/2019 10:15:00 AM finally getting to read your poem which appears at your page as your VERY BEST poem (as said by Soup members) INdeed, the message and words are fantastic! Login to Reply

Warren Doll Date: 7/31/2019 12:58:00 PM Astonishing sonnet , Richard. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/3/2019 11:06:00 PM Warren, Thank you for the comment. Here's to better days, for all of us. Hope your week-end is going okay. -Richard

Robertina B. Date: 7/31/2019 1:00:00 AM I am in complete awe, with your exquisite sonnet, Richard.. You penned an outstanding work of art.. This glowing gem, is a definite fav for me!! Blessings to you, my friend.. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/3/2019 10:48:00 PM Robertina, Thank you for the comment. I've only recently discovered your talented poems..looking forward to more. -Richard

Besma Riabi Dziri Date: 7/28/2019 1:38:00 PM You amaze with your poetic words as they embrace your thoughts in a unique rendition! I'm always impressed by a poetry that creates its very new imagery and diction! A poetry that is "gifted with freedom" and "bold spirit"! A wonderful read and a FAV.. Best regards, Richard.. Blessings. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 8/3/2019 10:47:00 PM Besma, Thank you so much for this wonderful comment. -Richard

Franci Hoffman Date: 7/24/2019 4:12:00 PM I wish more people could read this well-penned piece. Perhaps, they would be more responsible for what they say and how they act. Bravo! Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 7/25/2019 11:46:00 PM Franci, Thanks for stopping by. I will be patiently waiting for that poem. And there will be a mid-term paper due. -Richard

Kurt Ravidas Date: 7/15/2019 6:07:00 PM This beautiful, perfectly penned sonnet made me wonder whether literary characters believe they have free will also? And if they do, do they have? Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 7/25/2019 11:35:00 PM Kurt, Thanks for wondering. And, if ever you find the answer, write a poem and tell this troubled world. -Richard

Lady Labyrinth Date: 7/14/2019 9:20:00 PM "Ere life ebbs and scrimshaw scrolled hands beckon, find strength in Medicine Hat horse's paint. Flesh prized and spirit bold, yet to reckon, respectful head bowed, pray it isn't too late." I LOVE THIS POEM, but those lines hmmm, very intriguing. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 7/14/2019 9:51:00 PM Channeling Herman Melville in elusive allegory. From the lesson of Captain Ahab, who lost a leg to Moby Dick, Ishmael who's soul is yet to be saved, and the devoted Queequeg, son of a South Sea chieftain. BTW, thank you for commenting. -Richard Lady Labyrinth Date: 7/14/2019 9:41:00 PM kind of reminds me a bit of a poem by Lovejoy-Burton "Black Crow Mojo", American Nations themed, but different. I like how you've combined that culture/element, with the Sonnet format. Yes, the price of free will can come at great cost to some and sadly it comes too late. x

Robert Lindley Date: 7/13/2019 7:07:00 AM A truly important message masterfully delivered friend. Yes, some fee here seem to love to degrade others. Sad that such people are filled with such deep darkness. And attack others in a vain attempt to boost their own perceived greatness, in my opopinion. A fav a gem this truly is. Login to Reply

Kim Rodrigues Date: 7/12/2019 5:19:00 PM ...Medicine Hat horse's paint...standard-less staff and more! Enjoyed! Login to Reply

Sandra Adams Date: 7/12/2019 6:12:00 AM wow...i stand in awe of your words upon this page....for me sonnets are difficult yet you seem to master them with ease! powerful poem :) Login to Reply

Richard Lamoureux Date: 7/11/2019 9:18:00 AM I enjoyed your poem and the responses. You are a most skillful wielder of words. Login to Reply Lady Labyrinth Date: 7/14/2019 9:19:00 PM I wouldn't say 'plastic bag in the wind', a fine feather fit for sharpened quill and infectious thoughts to imprint freedom speed an antidote to bitter pills and folly's gift an anecdote taken from misfortune". Quoth Theraven Date: 7/11/2019 11:10:00 PM Richard, Just a plastic bag in the wind..."All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players"... -William Shakespeare

Sandra L. Weiss Date: 7/10/2019 7:38:00 PM These are strong words making a strong statement, Richard. And so true. Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 7/11/2019 11:11:00 PM Sandra, Thank you kindly I like horses...and turtles. The bag.

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 7/10/2019 1:28:00 PM O U T S T A N D I N G dear Richard! A fav for me! Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 7/11/2019 11:20:00 PM Demetrios, Thank you for your kind gesture and comment, truly. -Richard

Heidi Sands Date: 7/9/2019 9:42:00 AM Well written with strong points! Worth reading more than once :) Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 7/11/2019 11:20:00 PM Heidi, Thanks for the kind words, It can only get better (or worse) from here on out. -Richard

Panagiota Romios Date: 7/8/2019 11:21:00 AM Fabulous Sonnet. Much truth, Poeticalky delivered. Panagiota Login to Reply Panagiota Romios Date: 7/14/2019 1:39:00 PM Captain Richard! Ahoy!You know me better-)) I would flash my flank before walking the plank! Panagiota, "the Flank" Romios Quoth Theraven Date: 7/11/2019 11:25:00 PM Panagiota, Thank you for your warm comments. Now you must walk the plank. -Richard

Caren Krutsinger Date: 7/7/2019 10:04:00 PM "Of sarcasm's sharp sword, one can ill afford," - I feel this cheats one's own heart, because it cannot be heart-felt. It is the weapon of someone who does not understand that it hurts them and others. They might end alone, trying to write their own epitaph. Curiously WISE Richard. Nicely done! Login to Reply Quoth Theraven Date: 7/7/2019 10:25:00 PM Caren, Thank you for your comment on this sultry Summer night. -Richard