With the A Muse Fuse Poem-A-Day Challenge behind us, it’s time to return to our weekly poetry quote prompts here at The Magnified Muse. We’re starting our new season off with a quote by President Dwight Eisenhower made in his farewell address to the American people on January 17, 1961. The sentiments he expressed 49 years ago seem even more relevant today. Follow wherever this prompt takes you, be inspired by it, and post your own poem under Comments.
WHERE IS IT WRITTEN?
The patriots died for this land to be free.
But where is it written that we can’t disagree
without hurting each other by violent displays,
and inflicting our damage in the ugliest ways?
And where is written that we must be the same;
and if we are different, we should bow as if shamed?
And what gives us freedom to taunt and abuse
another one’s freedom to express his own views?
There is violence in words, born of anger and fear.
And when someone’s not like us, we don’t want to hear
the opinions they have or what they may believe.
And this lack of respect is where hate is conceived.
And it only grows stronger, blinding all of our eyes
to the best we could offer for everyone’s lives.
But we can’t get beyond how we both disagree,
and the chance to move forward is a chance that won’t be.
I’m afraid for this country and how hatred abounds
when opposite viewpoints can’t find common ground.
Free speech doesn’t mean that our thoughts must conform.
So, where is it written that hate is the norm?
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