Gratia et Veritas
Our conscience bears witness
(in the way thoughts are excused)
Our conscience bears witness
(in the way actions are accused)
Our conscience bears witness
(though inner self bemused)
Our conscience bears witness
(through God’s grace unabused)
LGBTQ is the spectrum of contrary community colors,
surviving secluded in the singular lattice of love,
weaved with the special strands of myriad hues
that make the rearing rainbow of inclusive glow.
They question the notion of binary gender identification,
face violence and inequality because of who they are,
but gender orientation is an integral part of our selves,
human rights demands it to be protected unabused.
The mental health issues stemming from rejection,
need to be addressed with societal concern and care,
by empathically accepting them as what they are,
helping them to build the high level of self-esteem.
Proudly swaying the sagged flag of deserving dignity
in transcendent realm of love that knows no boundary,
they struggle in the journey of equality and inclusivity,
as their hearts beat with the cadence of non-binary pride.
Like all who write, I'm enchanted by words.
their musical sounds falling on each page.
a gentle caress, or slashing of swords,
Words of upstarts or elegantly aged.
What power is found in a single word!
words so lovely, you long to simply hold.
Those inspiring adventures unfettered
or bringing a tear as sorrows unfold.
Opinions offered--thoughts without a hedge.
Happy gifts of synonyms seldom used
sunlit words within a smile's funny edge
careful to keep word's context unabused.
Often a challenge, but with many gifts
a fresh page awaits like a new-born day
inspired, my mind seeks any gone adrift--
words to enchant me and take me away.
February 12, 2023
for Constance La France's
Writing Challenged--E Words Poetry Contest
howmanysyllables=10 per line
A First Place!
Our conscience bears witness—
in the way thoughts are excused
in the way actions are accused
by the inward manner bemused
of the acceptance of grace unabused
February 19, 2020
F F I series 76 eap
Brian Stand, sponsor
Regarding this, Brian Strand explains: "eap (pronounced eep) is a list cinquain where line 1 is a statement followed by rhymed lines 2-5 that amplify the statement with words introduced by `in the', `by the', and `of the.' I labelled this an eap after Edgar Allan Poe as it is inspired by sililoqy in this format in the conclusion of his essay Poetic Principle."
Sometimes smileing is the hardest
thing to do
Knowing what I know, seeing what
they do
Sometimes I think my smiling is the
thing that makes things worse
It"s hard hard to think my smiling is
the cause of my curse
Sometimes I think by divine design
My best plans are twarted
My hopes and dreams would just
unwind
If something was what I wanted
If I could give my smile away
Joy would be disburst
My smile would try to fill the day
With the happiness it rehursed
My smile wants to smile
But instead tears they burst
Tears that come unwillingly
But from a natural birth
Tears that tell the secret
Tears that reviel the fears
Tears of untold sorrows
Tears from all the years
A million and one things
Could be hidden with a smile
Is a smile worth giving
With heart breaking all the while
Who would suspect the smile
The master of deceit
Smiles they go unquestioned
They make the deal compleat
But this day a day I did not choose
A day for my soul to sorrow
Today my smile I will not use
But save it for tommarow
A smile unabused a little less used
Ready for the world
But while this meloncholy stays
My smile will go unfurled
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