Notes About The Poem

 

 

 

http://here-there-poetry.co.uk/web/deborah-guzzi-3/

Vive La Liberte

False winter—deceitful—fuels the unrest.
Paris preyed upon; men’s anger coalesced;  
guns frame the debate. 
Pride and despair fan the unholy flame. 
The dispossessed grab weapons and take aim,
do words or actions desecrate?

Twelve dead in Paris—and a free press denied,
mourn for the loss, when faith and guns collide. 
To men with no life, there’s only death.
Fathers and mothers, daughters and sons cry;
the workings of men leave no time for goodbye.
Shout, “Vive la liberté” with each breath.

False warmth stirs a hornet’s nest, of dispossessed
on Boulevard Richard le Noir, hate crests.
Guns frame the debate.
Words are warriors, oh there’s might in the pen
what do men die for—ideas council men.
Loss, want, and hate dictate.

With bombs, knives, and guns Europe-wide
strike concern where complacence was decried:
no homes, no jobs, unrest,
societal problems in oversupply.
Your eyes, open your eyes, the dead cry.
There must be more than death.



First Published in here/there magazine UK 2015
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

Poem

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Anish Avatar
August 11, 2015 at 2:41 AM
This is a powerful poem about a tragic event. When did this killing take place? Who did it? I do not remember reading about it in the papers. Peace & Love Matthew Anish
Guzzi Avatar
August 11, 2015 at 6:53 AM
December of 2014
La France Avatar
August 8, 2015 at 4:26 PM
Debbie, such a deep and powerful write , I recall this horrible event
Puddifoot Avatar
August 7, 2015 at 6:25 AM
finally I get round to returning your comment! this is the sort of poem I like to read; you've managed to get a lot of rhyme into it, which is good, and adds to its overall impact, I think - congrats on having it published! I must tell you your comment on my haibun literally stunned me to tears; that was the first one I've ever written, and I'm fast discovering it's a form I really like, both writing and reading it :)
Guzzi Avatar
August 8, 2015 at 4:30 PM
most of the verse I wrote in france was in French forms Charlotte that's why the rhyme hon - I thought it would be an honorable tribute to the experience
Kendrick Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 5:35 PM
Not sure if you are writing about something recent or in the past..Enjoyed reading it anyway..Thanks for stopping by..I appreciate the kind review..Sara
Guzzi Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 8:17 PM
Last December Sara!
Trifiatis Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 4:54 PM
Tres bien mon amie, Debbie, fort et emouvant! Vive la poesie!
Trifiatis Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 5:04 PM
Alors, c'est fantastique puisque moi aussi aime la langue Francaise autant que toi!
Guzzi Avatar
August 6, 2015 at 4:56 PM
ut oh I'm a sucker for french olala
Merryman Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 4:34 PM
A powerful write, Debbie! Love those last two lines. Love, KIm
Onclaud Avatar
August 5, 2015 at 2:40 PM
A raging plea for freedom done with fervor, debbie... so beauitful... thanks for appreciating my piece in your contest.. mama's birthday next month.. huggs
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