Not a debate, just a simple view
not an expression of
religion or politics


Freedom and Respect


Je m'appelle,
Je suis
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.
Somehow they seem words,
words bandied
strands of dna floating
amidst the flotsam and jetsum of life.
You cannot have freedom
without the basis of respect.
Respect for all living things,
for the world around us,
even things we do not understand.
Respect, I will hold a door to you
I don't mind what colour or creed,
if I see the need in a persons eye
then, my seat is yours.
The hand in the supermarket
when you can't quite reach,
that extra shuffle on a park bench
when winter clothes are muffled
and someone shuffles up
just to see the view from here.
Helping the neighbour chase
after his wayward dog,
sharing a smile
someone giving me money
in the airport to pay the
parking meter when I
didn't have the right currency.
Freedom and respect
Je m'appelle
Je suis
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
it is time the world
held out that hand.



Poetry by Elle The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 653 times
Written on 2015-01-11 at 20:13

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Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Very nice, Elle. I think that you're mistaken. I detect whiffs of good religion and good politics in your "simple view."
2015-01-13


jim The PoetBay support member heart!
You convey so well a generosity of self, would that all felt as you.
2015-01-13



I forgot to say, it also needs no political affiliations either. Just so simple.
2015-01-11



I so much agree, Elle. It's so simple and requires no religious affiliation of any kind. It's just common sense and allowing, like you said so eloquently: Freedom and Respect. So simple!
Thanks for sharing this lovely piece.
~Ashe
2015-01-11