Acceptance

“Inevitability” by Alan Brain

 

submit to the change
accept that the choices
were written in fiction
defiance profits no one

Teredo

Model of French Warship “Le Soleil Royale”

the worm in the wood

subtle seaborne invader

soft mouth who makes meal

of hard lapstrake in deadrise

of commonwealth destinies

hinders the smooth sail

of maritime conquest

pernicious bold parasite

given to stubborn defiance

unfazed by the theater of

thrones under ukase of kings

here is ample example of

seemingly powerless creatures

the homely and humble

whose instinct is honed

to create with destruction

the only skill left to its

primitive purpose

a thwarting impediment

though it be small

to the brazen advances

of unreserved arrogance

speaking resistance

to undeserved power

Survivor

“Prison Corridor” by Lara Mukahirn

unrecognizable soul

just a wisp of a man

a mere rumor of shoulders

in drape of torn rags

cruelly hobbled by

muscle and bone become

weakened and wasted

skin soiled and soured

the telltale of lightless

unwashed fetid years of

forbidding imprisonment

bent but not broken

here standing in chains

of his pain the old poet

his verses summarily

deemed as subversive

here standing in chains

of his pains the old poet

defiant as ever impenitent

vivid unquenchable flames

dance their ethical dance

in his resolute eyes

 

“but the Chinese and the Iranians lock them up and throw away the keys . . .”
– Peter Notehelfer

Defiance

Illustration From
mindandsoul.info

straining to listen
small voices are there
hiding somewhere
behind the pathology
hearing them
even unable to
make out their words
you will know
their intent
and the knowing
will teach you
your fate
unless rising
regained of your heart
you draw courage
speak out
with the large voice
God gave you
announce
loud defiance
within your own mind
reassert your authority
calling the future
back into your hands