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Society of the Soundless
by Max Bouillet"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
--Voltaire (1694 - 1778), (Attributed)
"It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong."
--Voltaire (1694 - 1778)
The Hushes
march down Main Street
teaming up on any Screams and Yells
they may find;
They shove
newspapers and holy books
into their victim's loud mouths
until they are muffled.
Fearful, the free Screams and Yells
go silent. Too afraid of
being muffled; they lose their
voice and become Whimpers.
Aside from the occasional
Shout that is quickly
hunted down and silenced,
we have become
a society of the soundless
living in a library
of books
that we are forbidden to read.
And what of me?
I will become a whisper
dancing between the ears
of the Quiet
and when enough of us
add our whispers together,
we will roar. 10/09/2006 Posted on 10/09/2006
Copyright © 2024 Max Bouillet
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Rachelle Howe on 10/09/06 at 07:04 PM Brilliant and resounding. *claps* I hope you're right. |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 10/10/06 at 01:42 AM Thought provoking as usual, though I have to disagree with your premise, at least here in the USA! (The Screams and Yells have been quite clear and not from the right! But then I watch Fox News which shows both sides!) |
| Posted by Kristina Woodhill on 10/10/06 at 03:06 AM Very creative look at the voices of the people. I enjoyed this. |
| Posted by Angela Nuzzo on 10/10/06 at 05:33 AM Very nice, Max. For some reason the image of the marching hammers from The Wall came to my mind when I read this. I love the title & the last stanza is great. |
| Posted by Leslie Ann Eisenberg on 10/14/06 at 08:40 PM i've heard the voltaire quotes more than once, and they are an appropriate opening for your poem. i also like the use of capitalization, and my favorite - The Hushes! the marching reminds me of the Wall, to the point where the noise is the soundtrack as i read. as our basic freedoms are under attack, and even our right to think is questioned, i would like to think that we are not soundless. yes, the whispers may become a roar. how do you see that happening? i think our voices are heard in the actions we take, both in our everyday lives, and in the voting booth. thank you for thought provoking read. i hope this subject, and this poem creates a stir, and hopefully a dialogue, regardless of party affiliation. PK |
| Posted by Leslie Ann Eisenberg on 11/16/06 at 04:12 PM congrats on POTD, max! :)PK |
| Posted by Kristine Briese on 11/16/06 at 04:53 PM Brilliant. Makes me want to stand up and cheer. |
| Posted by Amanda J Cobb on 11/16/06 at 06:05 PM Wonderful imagery and crafting of your message, as usuel.
I think maybe we heard the beginnings of that roar this past election day, what do you think? ;-) |
| Posted by Steven Kenworthy on 11/16/06 at 11:33 PM Max...you used Voltaire quotes, and so brilliantly! i applaud this!!! |
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