For Charlie

Later

we will remember

that it all started

the day we began

to censor our own opinions

while they still cleaned the blood

off the streets of Paris.

 

Later

we will remember

that discussions in papers

and on TV

became more cautious

so as not to offend

and since they knew

(so we’d been told)

where we lived.

 

Later still

there were no more papers

only a web

of thoughts, tangled and half-formed,

unreflected,

opinionated

and often screamed in raging capitals.

 

Later

we will not remember

how it happened

that one day, we’re not sure when,

we began to be told

what to think

who to believe

and how to vote

and we obliged

because (so we’d been told)

it kept us safe.

 

Maybe then

we will remember

those who once brought reason

and perspective

and laughter

using nothing but a pen.

 

Reviews

[Moonlight]

Wow! Beautiful poem. The theme is so powerful and through your simple language, you have woven a beautiful pattern of thoughts! I was reminded of that poem by Stephen Spender : an elementary school classroom in a slum. Although your language is much simpler, the power is the same, in my opinion. Amazing work! :)

[MomzillaNC]

"Je suis Charlie!" Let us take up a hundred pens for every one broken… let a hundred voices speak up and be the voice of freedom for the silenced.

[Eagergreen]

The truest sadness in the world is feeling you can't be safe in your own home I too hope for the ability to say a write what our minds feel is right to write or needs to be written