Border Patrol ~ Poetics

Who decides who stays and who goes?




Manipulated… we waste our days doing as we are instructed.
Trained since Sunday school
to respect these figures of authority
more than we respect our selves.

Freedom is tangible
existing well beyond the confines of our mind
in secret meadows and hidden dales
where the air we breathe

does not numb our ability to think
to question the ways of the suit and tie
the badge and gun
the amount of dollars their allegiance earns.

Systemized and categorized according
to the idea of the great spenders
enforcing restriction as debt rises
and like the lambs we are

we walk willingly to the slaughter
as the need for more blood, more sacrifice
demands we suffer
so that they do not.

Banging heads against the wall
the bruises become our own badges.
Signs that WE are the deserters
in this war against the masses.

Dare we cross the lines
That they have placed within our minds?
Dare we take a stand
At the borders of unknown lands?

Where people are free to live together
In harmony and respect for another
Without the poison that has warped our views
And makes us able to disrespect our brother…

Run…run now! The fence is only as high as we believe it to be...

Claudia has brought us to the border today for Poetics over at dVersePoets.  Drop in and share your own words on how such a prompt inspires your pen.  Doors swing open at 3pm EST, as does our welcome!

An open call to tweeters! The Shorty Awards call for nominations ends on February 17th.  I am presently sitting (and no doubt slipping) in position 20 of the author category.  No win is expected or anticipated, but in our efforts to have poetry recognized as an official category, every nomination is beyond appreciated.  Nominate me here. And your dVersePoets Pub is sitting in the 6th spot in the art category...they really could take this home, if you nominate them here ! We need your support to make this happen! Much PoetLove! ~N



Comments

Pat Hatt said…
The big boys tend to warp our views indeed, making us try and believe all the nonsense they spurt out. That damn fence though just keeps growing. I wouldn't want to fall climbing it, so I will find an the end and walk around it..haha
Unknown said…
mmm love and peace should be universal and without compromise but the forces that be are the ones who create the boundaries and tensions within ones mind ...loved this ! think they only answer is we grab an island and live life poetically !!!
Brian Miller said…
woohoo tash...tell it...ugh what a world we live in these days...and yes sunday school did train us, just like elementary school and beyond into submission....and the golden rule...he who has the gold makes the rules...we get the freedom to vote for their candidates...yes we can help with that but only in who they put in front of us...oh dont get me started i could go on and on....viva the revolution
Claudia said…
wow..great passion in this tash..
Banging heads against the wall
the bruises become our own badges....
let's tear those borders down...way too many on this planet..
Laurie Kolp said…
Amen! I love this, Tash... especially the claim to victory at the end.. and I like also like this image:

Banging heads against the wall
the bruises become our own badges.

Love, love, love the last 5 lines!!
hedgewitch said…
What brian said. Also, almost every single border out there is artificial--based on tribalism or commercially manipulated. I've always thought the name of Doctors without Borders to be inspiring even without knowing how much good they do--the name alone does good. We need Humans without Borders. See Tash--you got me going again. ;_)
Unknown said…
Natasha, you always rouse me to heighten my awareness of how much of a slave I have or might become. Thank you.
Anonymous said…
the bruises become our own badges.
Signs that WE are the deserters

a profound statement in your wake-up call from complacency. As overpopulation and resource depletion continue the issue of borders is only going to get bloodier.
Daydreamertoo said…
None of us are truly free. The only real freedom is in our minds, everything else is controlled in some way shape or form. Nicely said.
The Silver Fox said…
Maybe the reason that your poetry so often strikes such a resounding chord within me is that you don't merely write what you feel, but you also write what you truly believe.
Mary said…
Ah, we do need to take a run at the fence. I am sure, as humans, we can get to the other side where respect for all, not just for some, IS the norm. Another strong write here. Thank you.
Anonymous said…
I respect your work today. It really has made me think and rethink. Thank you
Scarlet said…
Such a passionate voice Tash...I like that the fence is only as high as we think it is ~
Baur said…
Awesome blog following:)
Fireblossom said…
Well, I don't know. I don't like to break rules...
~L said…
Yes... How true... The fence is as high as we make it to be... Run, quick.... Before your mind builds a taller fence.

This was very thought provoking and full of talent!
~L
Anonymous said…
Powerful writing - love the crescendo at the end --- borders are really quite bizarre when you really think about it
Maude Lynn said…
I can't think of a more timely write!
Dare we cross the lines
That they have placed within our minds?
Dare we take a stand
At the borders of unknown lands? -- that is the crux of it, and what we must each come to terms with as we cross over the land mines of conservatism at least in this country. xxxj
Shaista said…
I agree with Mama Zen... Crossing Borders is never more timely with Sudan splitting and the future of Palestine becoming more uncertain. I like the universality of your piece... Could be anywhere, and yes, we dare.
Manipulated- we waste our time doing as we are instructed.
Great opening- like the message- one that I think is very real, particularly today. For me it just reflected a picture of the armed forces not knowing what they are fighting for, not knowing the people they kill, not understanding the preciousness of life- and all the while ordered to do so by someone sat behind a desk. Nice work
Chris Wood said…
Tash, I love your passionate pleas!....Now, if only we have "ears to hear" !
Beautifully said and so true!

Thanks for your fun contribution to last week's Limerick-Off!

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