Stand Up, Be Counted!

What excuse for inaction now?

Hush!

Don't say a word,

nor spill a tear

for the dead and

the wounded,

unless that is

you stood up

and said

"NO MORE!"

Unless you told

them, wrote to them,

emailed them,

text them and

petitioned them

that you would

take

"NO MORE!"

And unless you

ordered them

as your elected

representatives

to end the blood shed

now.

For here and now

words cost nothing

and mean nought,

but lives do.

Talking about it,

condemning it,

picking it apart

like your favourite

TV series or the ball game,

is meaningless.

So feel the guilt,

for inaction

is inexcusable.

Inaction makes you

complicit, partly

responsible,

and mere talk will

never end the carnage.

 

08/08/19

Author's Note

Reviews

[Kaede16]

As someone that comes from a Communist country I feel this on a personal level. It is important to stand up against injustice. My country didn't and look where it was led! I applaud Venezuela and Puerto Rico for standing up against those who oppress them. I understand that a revolution should be the last measure, but sometimes it is just necessary. Not implying you are talking about that exactly, there are many ways to stand up against injustice and corruption, I'm just speaking from my experience. Great and very evocative piece. Made me remember my roots somehow. Thank you.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I agree we must stuand up against injustice. The young people of Hong Kong are doing so now and will be oppressed by their Chinese masters! But they stood up and were counted!

[gram linski]

Good read but unless you are advocating armed revolution followed by many peaceful years of Anarchism, we only have the vote, the protest and the angry shout, civil disobedience is not allowed, just watch the news,

[John Alexander McFadyen]

But I AM disobedient! And I like it! Thought you were already armed awaiting the good fight for independence lol. Ta Charlie.

[gram linski]

holed up in a bunker, somewhere near the border, I am the front guard,

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I heard you were more of a rear guard!

[gram linski]

you better watch your backstop, young man

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Now you are bordering on the ridiculous!

[gram linski]

Is that you Boris? my hindsight isn't what it used to be,

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ye have eyes in yer arse, so wat ya takin about?

[Pete]

as usual, we wait until it's too late and the unthinkable has taken place. inaction has a steep price. when is enough enough? we shall find out ... :)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed Pete I hope so. many thanks.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

amen to this, John....the inaction and seeming apathy will never get the ball rolling in the right direction...
people are too compartmentalized today in the computer world...not enough face to face where real change can happen...we can do it as one...not as individuals...
strong write here.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes even I am complicit. I let Syria and Yemen rage on. Many thanks Jacob.