Donations are essential to keep Write Out Loud going    

The Voices of Freedom

The Voices of Freedom

 

Men and women lie in the dust and ashes of life,

having sacrificed themselves for our freedom.

They take with them their courage by example,

we inherit their legacy, our liberty won.

Against tyranny and oppression they fought

to pave the way for all, a future with justice.

Poets are murdered for their verse.

Artists flee with the canvass of free expression.

Journalists imprisoned for exposing the truth.

Writers in exile determined never to surrender.

Sculptors who create chisel on to victory.

Composers, singers and those who dance,

liberate our minds from repression.

These men and women continue the struggle against ,

Dictators and false prophets.

Tyrants and their feverish ambitions.

Oligarchs and Patriarchs who deceive.

Education is the vanguard of freedom.

The world belongs to us, not the few.

Submission is defeatism, the enemy of the soul.

Liberation is on the horizon to behold.

We must stand together with our talents at hand.

To give voice through the quill and brush,

taking us beyond into a vision of love.

To eradicate prejudice and discrimination.

The kiss of death comes from the dictator's lips,

as millions died to fulfill their evil plans,

Rise up in gratitude.

Remember those innocents gassed at the dictator's hand

and those lulled into their false wars of greed.

Shout, freedom is within our grasp,

then, only then will dictators breathe their last.

 

◄ A Gay Dismissal

The Agony of Separation ►

Comments

Profile image

Uilleam Ó Ceallaigh

Sat 6th May 2023 20:44

Thank you Keith.
"Education is the vanguard of freedom."
Indeed it is.

Education (of self and of others) in a broad sense: ie. the ability of artists of all genres and disciplines within society to question, to criticise, to mock, etc.

And Education in say, a narrow sense, ie. places of learning, schools, universities, etc. hence, (I'm inclined to point out) attacks over the years on the funding of the Humanities in the UK.

May I point out this Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jul/05/flogged-imprisoned-murdered-today-being-a-poet-is-a-dangerous-job



Profile image

John Marks

Sun 30th Apr 2023 14:41

Thank you for this Keith. Oftentimes, we don't know what we have until somebody threatens to limit our liberty.

Profile image

M.C. Newberry

Fri 28th Apr 2023 18:25

Indeed, we should, each in our own way and within our own
ability, make a contribution towards freedom. Evil and embryo-
tyranny emerges with every generation - a dismal fact of
human existence - and we should never ignore it. I note a book
that lists those marked for "attention" by Hitler had he
prevailed here in the UK. And his kind exist today in varying
degrees and it is essential that we understand that reality and
combat it at every turn.

Profile image

keith jeffries

Thu 27th Apr 2023 10:32

Thank you to Stephen G., Stephen A., Manish and John B., for their kind and encouraging comments and to Helen, K Lynn and Leon for their likes. I was moved to write this poem as I feel there exists a strain of autocracy which prevails during present times throughout the world. We need to be watchful and alert to what is taking place in our own society and nation.
Thank you again..
Keith

Profile image

Stephen Gospage

Thu 27th Apr 2023 07:16

A powerful poem, Keith. 'The kiss of death comes from the dictator's lips' is particularly good.

A timely warning about what is important in our society, and what we should be wary of.

Profile image

John Botterill

Wed 26th Apr 2023 18:13

Well said, Keith. A Poetic Triumph. Thank you!

Profile image

Stephen Atkinson

Wed 26th Apr 2023 17:30

I think Manish said it all!
A great piece, Keith 🌈

Profile image

Manish Singh Rajput

Wed 26th Apr 2023 14:42

I think I've read this 2-3 times for me to comprehend with all of it. There's a vast dimension created here by you, Keith, and a very interesting one. This speaks for all is artists and all of them who were silenced or discriminated during the dire war times by the so called warlords. I love how you've bought poets, artists, sculptors, journalists, composers and singers into picture and spoken diligently for them. On the other hand, dictators, tyrants, patriarchs and oligarchs who somehow tried to suppress them.
Every bit of it was gripping and evoked certain emotions.
This is the voice of every artist!
This is the voice of FREEDOM!
Thank you for this.

If you wish to post a comment you must login.

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

Find out more Hide this message