Man opens his mouth and words result
making mighty his lofty claims
as he pontificates and struts
self-edification his primary aim
*
the ruler of this world so petty
the rich so powerful and “right”
we worship what is sexually pretty
the poor and lowly we despise
*
hold a ball where you stand
juggle it with two others
gather and clasp a small hand
put aside your druthers
*
turn the balls now inside out
see where a smile grows
it is in the weakest things
beauty’s goodness overflows
*
here’s a right we all possess
if we open up our hearts
look not to grandiose emptiness
sacrificial love a good place to start
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Prov 31:8 & 9
Today’s prompt at Poets United is Human Right’s Day
Excellent thoughts. it is in the weakest things
beauty’s goodness overflows
These lines were particularly poignant. Well done.
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I love your poem, it tells us so much if we could only pay attention, and do it the world would be a better place. Thank you for your beautiful thought Leslie.
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Thanks Ranu – it is something we can hope for ” a love that fills all the holes…”
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How special this setting up and taking down of images for the small chance within! Give me that smile–or better yet, let me give it to you.
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Need and Greed are enemies…the more we have the greedier we become. Few discern real beauty for it is gentle and unassuming and cannot be bought or sold.
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I like that “Need and Greed are enemies”- truly!!!
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A beautiful message in this poem, kiddo…….selflessness and beauty’s goodness!
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Last stanza carry for me the biggest importance …to have a heart, to bring the inner love forward to share with all
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The visual and the message of the heart is so important!
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Hopeful for generous hearts this Christmas season
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Nice to see someone putting a positive spin on it, as to what we can do.
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Thanks I hope for the best of the people of our world…
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Empty gestures are perhaps worse than oversight…what a wonderful proclamation of a poem…the language and flow so apt…(love the word druthers) ..
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I like the word druthers too – a word my grandparents would use 🙂
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It is with the simple things that we share the greatest ‘rights’.
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Well written very fitting with the prompt.
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yay!!! a very triumphant piece!!! sacrificial love is what we must all start with. bravo!!!
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It is the time of year when the poor and needy will be feeling most isolated. Opening up our hearts is the way to go.
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