Poetry Corner: Democracy

Today shall find Professor Clara Ponsati attending Edinburgh Sheriff Court after handing herself into Scottish Police, in a show of Solidarity The Orkney News shall today publish, Democracy by Langston Hughes

Democracy

Democracy will not come
Today, this year
Nor ever
Through compromise and fear

I have as much right
As the other fellow has
To stand
On my two feet
And own the land.

I tire so of hearing people say,
Let things take their course.
Tomorrow is another day.
I do not need my freedom when I’m dead.
I cannot live on tomorrow’s bread.

Freedom
Is a strong seed
Planted
In a great need.

I live here, too.
I want freedom
Just as you.

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Tagged as: Catalonia, Clara Ponsati, Culture, democracry, Poems, Poetry Corner

I Gave My Word

by Zbigniew Herbert

I was very young
and common sense told me
not to give my word

I could easily say
I’ll give it some thought
what’s the big hurry
it’s not a train schedule

I’ll give my word
after graduation
after military service
after I make a home

but time exploded
there was no before
there was no after
in the blinding present
you had to choose
so I gave my word

a word–
a noose round my neck
an ultimate word

in the rare moments
when everything is light
and becomes transparent
I think to myself:
“my word
how I’d like
to take my word back”

it doesn’t last for long
the world’s axis screeches

people pass away
as do landscapes
coloured rings of time
but the word I gave
is stuck in my throat

Claire Ponsati gave her word, she made a choice, a commitment, and she’s standing by it. The world needs political leaders like her. She puts many of the present incumbents to shame.
Once you become aware, are given the choice “in the blinding present”, and set your foot on the path, you must stick to it, still out of choice though, it’s no good if it becomes just because you feel you must, or because it becomes a habit. You have to keep re-iterating your choice and your commitment, keeping it fresh, and learning too, all the time, and as we learn, we renew our vows and our commitment, as the knowledge of what we’re here for, becomes clearer and stronger. And Claire Ponsati has done this, by handing herself over to the authorities, whether she actually thinks the situation is ‘right’ or not, she knew that she had to do that.

And it does stick in your throat, a bit, sometimes, when it’s hard to stick to it, and it looks like life would be easier if you could go back on your commitment and take an easier way through the world. But it isn’t about life being easy, anyway. It’s about seeing your way, making your choice, and going with it, working with it, as long as you feel it’s the right choice. If your view changes, maybe a shift is then called for, but always sticking to having given your word, to do what you believe to be the right thing, at any given time.
Good woman – other politicians, watch and learn.

1 reply »

Bernie Bell says:

March 28, 2018 at 9:23 am

I Gave My Word

by Zbigniew Herbert

I was very young
and common sense told me
not to give my word

I could easily say
I’ll give it some thought
what’s the big hurry
it’s not a train schedule

I’ll give my word
after graduation
after military service
after I make a home

but time exploded
there was no before
there was no after
in the blinding present
you had to choose
so I gave my word

a word–
a noose round my neck
an ultimate word

in the rare moments
when everything is light
and becomes transparent
I think to myself:
“my word
how I’d like
to take my word back”

it doesn’t last for long
the world’s axis screeches

people pass away
as do landscapes
coloured rings of time
but the word I gave
is stuck in my throat

Claire Ponsati gave her word, she made a choice, a commitment, and she’s standing by it. The world needs political leaders like her. She puts many of the present incumbents to shame.
Once you become aware, are given the choice “in the blinding present”, and set your foot on the path, you must stick to it, still out of choice though, it’s no good if it becomes just because you feel you must, or because it becomes a habit. You have to keep re-iterating your choice and your commitment, keeping it fresh, and learning too, all the time, and as we learn, we renew our vows and our commitment, as the knowledge of what we’re here for, becomes clearer and stronger. And Claire Ponsati has done this, by handing herself over to the authorities, whether she actually thinks the situation is ‘right’ or not, she knew that she had to do that.

And it does stick in your throat, a bit, sometimes, when it’s hard to stick to it, and it looks like life would be easier if you could go back on your commitment and take an easier way through the world. But it isn’t about life being easy, anyway. It’s about seeing your way, making your choice, and going with it, working with it, as long as you feel it’s the right choice. If your view changes, maybe a shift is then called for, but always sticking to having given your word, to do what you believe to be the right thing, at any given time.
Good woman – other politicians, watch and learn.

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