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Wrongdoer

If there is ever held a trial in a court of justice 

To punish the one who stabbed humanity in the eye,

don't go looking for any monster of extraordinary malice. 

Look my way, for the hideous wrongdoer is I.

 

Rip the clothes off my back and kick me down

Spit in my eye and then hand me the flog,

Because I alone deserve to wear the crown

of the cowardly, hypocritical, whimpering dog.

 

The first whiplash will be for that young boy I see

every day out in the streets panhandling for a fix.

I hasten my step, ignore the guilt and let it be;

mumbling vaguely about "my cross, my poison, my trips".

 

The second whiplash will be for that madman

that I once left bereft and shivering in the rain 

I know well of lunacy yet I looked away once again

God help me, I cannot stand the sight of pain...

 

The third whiplash will be for all the shunned

the lost I didn't guide, the senile whose hand I didn't hold

when my punishment is over, hopefully I'll be stunned

so numb from the pain that maybe I won't feel the cold.

 

The fourth bloodspilling, skin-tearing beating 

will be lashed for the day that it all got so easy.

I hardened; compassion drop by drop depleting 

I joined the choir of: "Out of my way, I'm busy."

 

And the final excruciating devastating whiplashes

I shall happily suffer for trying to learn

to shut my eyes as to shield them from the ashes

Of the humanity that I helped burn.

◄ GR (In the South)

Keep it Close ►

Comments

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Mae Foreman

Mon 25th Feb 2019 08:20

Thank you Vautau! You are right. I do believe that many people feel the way I do.?

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victoriavautaw@gmail.com

Mon 25th Feb 2019 02:03

If only a few lashings would stop the suffering for the masses, I think there would be a long line of wrongdoers willing to endure the pain. Great piece of poetry Mae, made even better through your reciting. Thanks for sharing! ?

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Mae Foreman

Sun 24th Feb 2019 23:18

Thank you A.M.?

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AM Cash

Sun 24th Feb 2019 23:17

Fascinating and love the audio

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Mae Foreman

Fri 22nd Feb 2019 11:51

Kate G you're making me blush! Thank you so much! ?To tell you the truth I do see myself as an observer of life...

<Deleted User> (19913)

Fri 22nd Feb 2019 11:13

Mae, this is profound. A good poet observes and captures experiences that many feel but can't articulate. I'm genuinely excited at your talent. Wonderful.

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Jason Bayliss

Fri 22nd Feb 2019 09:35

Ok, well as far as I'm concerned, I was right. You have a beautiful voice for reading and for me, that was all the better for hearing you read it Mae. Brilliant. So glad I've got you as one of my favourites.

J. x

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Mae Foreman

Sun 17th Feb 2019 20:40

Yes! A time to act, a time to be cautious... At any case find a way to be at peace! ?
Thank you M.C.
Mae

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 17th Feb 2019 19:27

Just as long as one doesn't lose sight of when to recognise the right
time and place for our actions - or lack of them...and be prepared to
live with both. That way we may not be too judgemental but still
retain the moral right to point out the wrong of something when we
see it.

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Jason Bayliss

Sun 17th Feb 2019 19:00

I would love to hear that!?

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Mae Foreman

Sun 17th Feb 2019 18:36

Thanks a lot Jason! ?I'm thinking of reciting it too...

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Jason Bayliss

Sun 17th Feb 2019 18:30

Mae, that is one of the most powerful pieces of writing I've ever read, stark, accurate and beautifully written. Absolutely breathtaking. X

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Mae Foreman

Sun 17th Feb 2019 16:04

You are right dear M.C. But the soul has a tongue of its own and it cannot always be silenced by reason. I don't really blame anybody for anything, including myself. Each of us has to survive best way we can. Still, there is a part of me that grieves.
Thank you for reading and commenting?
Mae

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Mae Foreman

Sun 17th Feb 2019 16:02

Thank you Keith.
Sometimes we should take a hard look in the mirror. It's not something you can do every day because it's painful to face your shortcomings but somedays you simply can't avoid the mirrors.
Thank you?
Mae

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 17th Feb 2019 16:01

A pertinent summation of the conflict that is within us. As I have
observed elsewhere: do the best you can - when you can. The
actuality of sainthood is a sometime/never thing for most of us.
It is a sad fact that we can become inured to injury and pain if
exposed to it too often - called (very aptly): compassion fatigue.
It is perhaps nature's way of self-preservation in extreme circumstances and should not be a cause for too much self-criticism.

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keith jeffries

Sun 17th Feb 2019 15:57

Mae,

This poem speaks of self examination which indeed produces some profound results. A good poem indeed.

Thank you for this

Keith

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Mae Foreman

Sun 17th Feb 2019 15:55

I know. It just hurts me some days the fact that I fall short at just being humane. I just had to let it out?
Thank you Brian!
Mae

<Deleted User> (18980)

Sun 17th Feb 2019 15:51

I've done a few things, and not done other things, that I regretted later. I don't beat myself up, no-one should...it's just human nature.

Good one Mae.

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