Thought Police

I'm afraid
So afraid
Of being arrested
By the thought police

Their rules are many
Think this
Think that
Don't diverge from the normal
Stop playing on the street corner of tomorrow
Let sleeping dogs rest
Do not question
Do not burn on passionate bonfires

I watch as they ready their weapons
They display arresting warrants through clouded glass
Fifty shades of bland
Cuffs dangling from bulging belts
Bound in self rightous blunder
They wait outside my door
Screaming bull horns command me to exit my paper freedom
I am blinded by search lights, forced to use my third eye
Fearful of their uniformed presence
How long will they be held at bay?

I hold their preconceptions hostage
They cannot see beyond their script
Trained in the warfare of ignorance 
They say "who are you, to question our authority?"

I answer
"I am the poet
The one who dreams beyond here and now
My words push through yesterday like a plow!
Yet I am gentle like the rain
Equal parts of pleasure and pain
A powerful detergent
I remove ancient stains
With my words I shake the ground
I will not be stopped by another's sound
Arrest me, yet you can't stop what I think
Within my mind I determine what I drink."

The thought police
Turn to another
The writings of our sisters and brothers
They wait, with cuffs in hand
Unable to understand
The few
The many
Who have joined hands
The poets
The thinkers
We take a stand



Inspired by Eileen Ghali's poem "The Hidden Woman"

Catie Lindsay's Heart of the matter contest.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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12
Seal Avatar
February 16, 2014 at 5:58 PM
Many writers have been imprisoned over the years for saying/writing what they think. Strange how authority doesn't like to be questioned ain't it lol. Great write Rick, carry on shaking the ground. Take care, Richard
Lamoureux Avatar
February 16, 2014 at 7:35 PM
So nice having you back Richard. Thanks for this thoughtful visit.
Walker  Avatar
February 16, 2014 at 5:17 PM
I love it... Very well written... Verlena
Lamoureux Avatar
February 16, 2014 at 7:36 PM
Thanks Verlena.
Allison Avatar
February 16, 2014 at 1:56 PM
An incredible poem. Seeing work like this makes me aspire to be a better writer. Am new to the site and am learning so much with every poem i see. Jan x
Lamoureux Avatar
February 16, 2014 at 2:24 PM
You are very Kind, I will check out your work.
Jackson Avatar
February 12, 2014 at 3:41 PM
The imagery is very good. I like the description of the thought police. Well written. Best wishes Linda
Lamoureux Avatar
February 13, 2014 at 7:42 AM
Thanks Linda
Mehta Avatar
February 11, 2014 at 8:27 AM
A great write and congrats on the win, richard
Lamoureux Avatar
February 11, 2014 at 10:16 AM
Thanks Dr. Ram.
Kayode Avatar
February 11, 2014 at 1:15 AM
Congrats Richard for a win well deserved
Lamoureux Avatar
February 11, 2014 at 6:13 AM
Thanks Kayod5
Dom Avatar
February 10, 2014 at 6:13 PM
This is just fantastic for me, Richard. Congratulations on the worthy win.
Lamoureux Avatar
February 10, 2014 at 6:35 PM
Thanks Michael.
Kendrick Avatar
February 10, 2014 at 10:19 AM
Way to go with this awesome winner..Sara
Lamoureux Avatar
February 10, 2014 at 6:34 PM
Thanks Sara.
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
February 10, 2014 at 4:18 AM
What a thought, 'thought police' wow i'd be locked up lol congratulations Richard xx
Lamoureux Avatar
February 10, 2014 at 9:59 AM
Ha ha, me as well!
Oyewole Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 10:18 PM
You did a nice job on this verse, Sir Richard! Glad seeing it on top. Big congrats on your deserving victory!
Lamoureux Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 10:38 PM
Thanks AO
Lamoureux Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 10:37 PM
Poteet Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 9:39 PM
Congratulations, Richard on your win and on this terrific piece. This is inspired inspiration indeed.
Lamoureux Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 10:37 PM
Thanks so much.
Richards Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 7:39 PM
What an ingenuous poem of introspection!! And inspired by one of the best!! Congratulations, Richard!!
Lamoureux Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 8:22 PM
Yes I agree, she is one of the best. Thanks Carrie.
Dietrich Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 7:26 PM
hey hey hey, look who is tops in this winner circle. WAY to GO, Richard.Congrats for your win.
Lamoureux Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 8:24 PM
Hi Andrea, thanks so much.
May Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 7:11 PM
Congrats on a great win Richard
Lamoureux Avatar
February 9, 2014 at 8:25 PM
Thanks again Joseph.
Mills-Kelly Avatar
February 5, 2014 at 1:52 PM
WOW Richard.... this is Epic... I feel this down to my bones and I agree 100 percent !! So much power in this piece . "I am the poet The one who dreams beyond here and now My words push through yesterday like a plow! Yet I am gentle like the rain Equal parts of pleasure and pain INDEED !
Lamoureux Avatar
February 5, 2014 at 2:17 PM
Thanks Debbie, I'm pleased you enjoyed my poem.
Vaso Avatar
January 31, 2014 at 10:21 PM
This is simply a masterpiece, I will certainly show this one to a few friends here, as in Quebec, this is becoming a sad reality! Very GREAT write!
Lamoureux Avatar
February 1, 2014 at 12:36 AM
Sorry to hear that. I think to a certain extent that is somewhat true everywhere. I think overall we are still pretty fortunate to live in this country.
Rogers Avatar
January 27, 2014 at 11:06 AM
Reminiscent of 1984, "Winston", oh, sorry, I mean, "RL"...Hahahahahaha...LOL! Great piece!...enjoyed very much. Robert :-)
Lamoureux Avatar
January 27, 2014 at 12:05 PM
You make me smile Robert.
Manassian Avatar
January 26, 2014 at 9:38 PM
Richard....I have no words to thank you for including that footnote at the bottom of your poem. This poem.....Is a masterpiece. I'm NOT flattering you. I'm being as honest as I can be. It is an amazing poem...I'm so so honored that my words spoke to you in some way and on some level. Thanks.
Lamoureux Avatar
January 26, 2014 at 11:10 PM
I really appreciate you saying that Eileen. Their are certain pieces I write that I feel attached to and this is one of those poems.
Sirak Avatar
January 24, 2014 at 8:01 AM
Powerful! Stunning! Fantastic! "My words push through yesterday like a plow" Now that is the power of words.
Lamoureux Avatar
January 24, 2014 at 8:18 AM
;0)
Virden Avatar
January 23, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Color me stunned!!!! This is one of the most powerful poems I've ever had the pleasure of reading. So glad you said what so many hearts FEEL. Never stop being the voice of "TRUTH"
Lamoureux Avatar
January 23, 2014 at 7:46 AM
Sarai, what a great comment, you have me smiling this morning! Thanks so much, that really makes my day.
Thirtyseven Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 10:10 PM
My fav words in here are "they can not see beyond their script", so well said. A great angry piece of poetry, thanks for the read.
Lamoureux Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 11:38 PM
Thanks Scott
Carrillo Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 3:35 PM
This is very good. It is outstanding and I enjoyed it very much.... Lucilla
Lamoureux Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 11:38 PM
Thanks Lucilla, good night.
Goff Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 7:40 AM
Yes Richard! actually, more journalists are being detained in USA than at any time in history...thank you for stopping by my poem! as to yer ?....similar subject as above! 'cept mine's about the secret meetings of the globalist plutocrats that plot the middle-class impending slavery.....ya just couldn't decipher my poem, cuz i write pretty (well, mostly totally!) abstract! jimbo
Lamoureux Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 7:54 AM
Good morning Jimbo, thanks for reading mine as well.
Poshiwa Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 6:19 AM
WOW!!!! I love the 2nd last stanza "Im apoet, the one who dreams beyond here and now...."...WOW this is a master piece Richard. Let me carry on reading some more. WOW!!!!!
Lamoureux Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 7:55 AM
Hi Herzel, I'm pleased you like it. Welcome to my mind.
Tacito Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 12:21 AM
HOLY MOTHER OF GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YES, YES, DAMN YES! This is almost a Slam piece. Insatiably powerful! I dare somebody to try and change how & what I think...they will be so, so friggin' sorry! I kneel in reverence to the exuberant ferocity of your message here. This is your best ever. Don't. Ever. Stop.
Lamoureux Avatar
January 21, 2014 at 7:57 AM
Now this comment makes my day Drake. Smilin ear to ear!
12
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