BAN

This was a satirical poem I wrote when the freedom of speech in our country was threatened and it almost became a fashion to ban anything

If you are sitting on a prestigious post

enjoying all the merits you can,

your work cannot be called complete

unless you have posed a ban.

What is the use of your powers

if you cannot misuse it?

Unless you pose a ban or two,

for your job you would be a misfit.

So think of something in current news

with which you agree not,

'It hurts our sentiments deeply

and so a ban must be sought.'

Ban the book

which has a different look.

Ban the film

which is realistic and grim

Ban the common man's speech :

it's a code of conduct breach.

Ban the AD

which is a harmful fad.

Ban the press.

Ban the modern dress.

Ban healthy foods.

Ban useful goods.

Ban couples in the park.

Ban smooching in the dark.

Ban T.V. and radio.

Ban everything visual and audio.

Ban reading and writing

but not vandalizing and fighting.

Ban smoking on reel

but not its sale or deal.

Ban plastic usation

but not its production.

Ban exposure of crime

but not slums and grime.

Ban this and that

and these and those,

Ban everything in which

you can poke your pretty nose.

Why ask the common man's views ?

To ban anything : feel free,

'Democracy' ? What's that ?

Unheard of in our country .

Author's Note

Genuine criticism welcomed

Reviews

[Lorraine]

So far, I don't think it's happening in my country (or maybe it's my lack of knowledge) but I see you have such intense criticism here. It's not a bad thing, in fact, I love the way you express your own side of things in such creative and almost whiny fashion. It's interesting to read this than long, boring speeches that do not really make a point.

Keep Writing. ^___^

[K@lp@n@]

i really liked this poem. one of your best

[hello1]

amazing poem. best of luck for the contest

[Rochser]

That was simply wow. amazing. you really are talented

[Emily Quinn]

P.s thanks for entering my contest!

[Emily Quinn]

I really loved the style in which you chose to write this, it's a perfect fit and I absolutely love the very true point you do such an effective job getting across. Kudos

[Prateeksha Khot]

For me, (with respect to the 'STILL STANDING' contest) I would say that FREEDOM OF SPEECH is really important to me and I cannot tolerate it if someone tries to infringe my rights.

[ashley]

I love this! Great write!

Censorship is the child of Fear and the father of Ignorance.

[Wesley V Harney]

To be honest at first I was about to get angry at you for telling people to 'ban the book which has a different look' and then again at "ban reading and writing." Which however proves a certain point I am going to make later on but first, it moved me to feel something thus being real in mind. Aside from the obvious message, I love the repetition, the beat of the poem You rarely see at beat in poetry anymore or at least not an intentional one. I also agree with the last stanza there is no 'democracy' anymore. As I write this there is a group here in the cafe talking about that, the process of democracy and how they want to help and aide and change the world/people. It's all well and good but that is a discussion I am not going to get into at all right now. Especially since this is supposed to be all about you.
I said earlier that I was going to make a point on how the poem affected me, I started it out unsure; I had no idea where the poem was going to go but the title made me curious so I kept reading. Then you said to "ban the book which has a different look" BAM! I was mad at you, I have long discussions with people on the dangers of banning books and the dangers of visual media (Brave New World and 1984 usually are what start these debates). All that to say that it made me angry, it made me FEEL something. Whether it is your intention to make me angry or not the important thing is to make the reader feel. Third; by the end the flow of the poem, the soothing beat and sudden explanation of the last stanza made it all better and made me happy and agreeable.
So my point is this, in the words of James Wright: "I'll be damned. You're a poet. Welcome to hell."