LEADERS - not followers

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Matinee Muse 2

What if…
We had no choice?
We wouldn’t have the…


RIGHT TO REPLY

Inside the minds of those who think they know
Attention to the rules is paramount
I wonder why we don’t still live in caves
If we were born to follow, not to lead.

The truth is, we will harvest what we sow
Don’t think our contribution doesn’t count.
The best ideas come and go in waves
Ignore them and we’ll never plant the seed.

To forward thinkers, rules are introduced
Not to be broken, merely to evolve
Along with change in time and attitude
Developing within our heart and mind.

What starts life ‘hard and fast’ is often used
To guide us through the problems that we solve
And purists everywhere will claim “It’s crude!”
While suckling on the rules they hide behind

Eventually, it’s ‘guidelines’ that emerge
So we don’t stray too distant from the point
Which in this case is speaking thoughts in words
So speak your mind, not that of other folk

And if we’re able to survive the purge
That throws our best intentions out of joint
We’ll learn to stand alone, not roam in herds
Safety in numbers? To me that’s just a joke

But if you think they’re all out to get you
You’re probably just out to get yourself
Because you’re not so quick now on the draw
Their rules will always take somebody down

If you don’t think you’re up to something new
You’re going to let them beat you to yourself
Up goes the white flag, admitting to your flaw
Another fair cop – it’s you who looks the clown

What happened to that confident young man
So full of idealistic aggression?
Did he listen too hard to his critics
And opt for the quiet, peaceful life instead?

That man who always said “Because I can!”
No longer speaks with such heartfelt passion
When they told him his game was ‘just not cricket’
“The competition’s much too strong,” he said

Confidence will translate to arrogance
In the minds of commentators who spectate
But performers always hold the stronger stance
Don’t ask permission; speak your mind – dictate!


Things are not always as they appear

PHONEY WAR

Wake me up when the war starts
I wouldn’t like to be late
For my first day in action
On the front line
When they begin dropping bombs
And testing our defences
Will you be there, by my side?
Or underground?
I will wear my uniform
Display my true colours
I should be decorated
For bravery
I have seen active service
In previous encounters
But we always defeat them
Different this time?
Could you bear it to lose me?
Would you weep at my graveside?
Do I really need to ask?
Nothing changes
They say war is just like love
Nothing is against the rules
What am I talking about?
There are no rules
So when this war is over
Do I go back to sleep then?
And continue my nightmare?
Or will you stay?

10 comments:

  1. I haven't been there but I have done that.......

    Your ideas, your grasp of things is very intuitive ( i hope i spelt that right)

    Oh and I do appoligise for not popping here sooner.......

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  2. Thanks again whitesnake; I don't always get to check out everyone, but like you said - so many great writers (and you are one too).

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  3. So many of the rules are made by those who no longer remember and can no longer summon the passions which fired their youth. As for war - if those who wage it truly had to fight it I suspect we'd see a peace breaking out all over the globe. How wonderful that would be...

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  4. You relate much of the human condition there.
    Nicely done.

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  5. That first poem is really interesting. It makes me wonder why people just don't keep searching for the places they fit in where their leadership tendencies will be appreciated and used. It's a big world; there's no need to feel defeated by it.

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  6. loved both poems but i am particularly enjoyed the 2nd poem. the first two lines were really great. its powerful, really it is.

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  7. Thanks to:
    robin; And rules are open to interpretation, which is not something everyone agrees with.
    Peace - now there's a concept!
    anthonynorth; You don't have to be a rebel, but if you want your voice heard, you have to go about things a bit differently.
    susan helene gottfried; If you have the skills and the inclination, you'll acieve your aims, but many rules are designed to intimidate - and acieve that aim.
    totomai; It's a metaphor for many of the difficulties we have to face in life. 'War' becomes a part of everyday existence.

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  8. You touch some good issues. I think we o need such hard hitting thoughts!

    what if...

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  9. Nice one Stan, Or should that be two? The war of words and the word world war! Where will it all end?

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  10. Thanks;
    gautami tripathy; We face a constant battle on many fronts, and face opposition from all sides. We either accept it as the 'norm;, or challenge it.
    Andy; It may never end, but we soldier on, fight the good fight, and maybe we can raise a smile or two in the process.

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