Outspoken

Outspoken

Not shutting up gets you into good trouble
When the unspoken word comes out
The author draws a light
Towards the silent world
Mystery is removed
And truth has a fighting chance
To breathe relevance
Into the forgotten universe.

Conformity kills the soul and destroys
The spirit longing for expression
Freedom delayed is freedom denied
Along with justice and equality
Just as humanity wears no chains at birth
So must no one shackle
Or restrain anyone
Nor limit their right to exist.

The poet outspoken elevates words
Raising the eloquent speech
The bard adds to the beauty of benignity
Soothing the sound of suffering
Tells truth to power
Holds the haughty with humility
Moves the mind and body
Returning art and life to the living.

Speak your verse out loud and proud
Write your own metaphors
Be the rhyme against reason
Paint your graffiti on lonely walls
Let your voice vivify the quiet ones
Dare to detail the deplorable
Make words your wheels
And inspire our spirit once more!

Copyright © 2023 Charles Edward York
No part of this poem may be used or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way or form or by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise without the written permission of the author.*