Shoestring

A spoken word about modern society. May or may not be performing it in front of my school.

We've got our brothers and our sisters 

sent out to war

we've got our sons and our daughters

who are saying that they can't take it anymore

we've got parents and grandparents

long gone in the ground

and our happiness tied together with a shoestring

We've got our minds filled with panic

over taxes and cash

we don't have food on the table

you've just been laid off

and you're praying to God that you've 

got something in your savings

and your happiness is tied together with a shoestring.

We have children hovering

far too close to the edge

and people not eating

just to fit in

you gotta remember

that every single person you've ever put down

is someone's daughter or son

with their happiness tied together with a shoestring. 

Someone won't make it through the night. 

Someone will give up their fight

and untie that shoestring, 

and just let it all go

and there was nothing we could do

to retie their happiness with a shoestring. 

Take a moment to reflect

at the pain that you inflict

take a moment to remember

a dark cold December 

when a baby was born

and grew up far too fast for her years

who is standing here today 

telling you to change your ways

before someone just

unties their happiness from the shoestring

We've got our brothers and our sisters 

sent out to war

we've got our sons and our daughters

who are saying that they can't take it anymore

we've got parents and grandparents

long gone in the ground

and our happiness tied together with a shoestring

Author's Note

Should I perform this in front of my school? And the picture is actually one of my mother and my sister and I at San Francisco, to show a working family with issues.

Reviews

[beautiful dreamer]

good one mads did u end up preforming it?

[Guilt]

If you didn't read this, then how would the world know this world from someone your age? This world NEEDS to hear this. If someone your age can see and interpret the interwoven laces of society, how dumb does everyone else have to be to not see it? Ignorance is certainly bliss, but so is chocolate. It frustrates me that people late in their life still cannot realise the truth of this world like you can. Voices need to be heard. Unfortunately sometimes it all stops at listening and never continues onto action. Bah! You got me rambling, I could go on forever... Awesome spoken word. Wish I had it in me to write one as impactive as this. Bravo!

- Cloud

[Admiral Kirk]

That's beautiful. ;-; I like the whole shoestring idea, it's ingenious. o.o I wouldn't read it in front of my school because I'd chicken out, but you totally should. It would be awesome. :D Just stay strong. ^-^

[A. V. Madison]

Thanks. AND HUGO I LOVE YOUR F*****G PHOTO OMG.

[Admiral Kirk]

Bwahahaha, I know, right? >:D

[.]

Wow. speechless. you are an AMAZING writer maddie, and im not just saying that.

[Wolfwind]

I felt your words capture the sometimes over woven and cracked shoelaces of life perfectly. This brings to light that nothing truly is all sugar and fairies, nor is it pepper and brimstone, but rather a constant mix of many things that people, in and out of families must deal with and either comes to grips with or adapt to, just to be able to continue taking one step forwards.

Well Crafted!
Aaron

[A. V. Madison]

Thank you, Aaron.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

yes, i would read it...people need to hear this...and who better to hear it from than poets...12 years old? amazing..

this is very "beat" like in its delivery...

and yes, the whole world seems tied together by a shoestring, and we are all tripping over our own laces.

[A. V. Madison]

Thank you very much, Mr. Erin-Cilberto. I agree, we are tripping over our laces. A pity of what this world has become. Thank you for reading.

[Elisa]

This is a very good commentary on society. I wasn't sure if I liked the idea with the shoestring, but I grew to like it more every time it was applied. Sometimes when phrases are repeated consistently like that it can get annoying, but it was perfect for this piece. It is also good because of how much can be taken from it by different people. It sounds like it would be a good piece for you to perform at your school because of how many people could relate to its message.

[A. V. Madison]

Thank you, Elisa. And agreed, I was a bit apprehensive to keep repeating the shoestring line, but I went ahead and did it anyways, and I'm elated that people enjoy that aspect. Thank you for reading :)

[zainul]

This is a wonderful piece.
Yes,you kept your promise.
You are far matured than 12 years old.
You have written something more precious than gold :)

[A. V. Madison]

Thank you Zainul, it's always nice to have you drop by :)

[zainul]

Alice,your shoestring philosophy kept me thinking the whole day. :)