Polite conversation,
over dainty teacups,
dancing around the issues of our time.
They talk about hair,
and wrinkle cream,
reality shows and the weather.
They have no interest
in hungry babies,
nets for malaria,
or crimes against humanity.
I don't want to dance this dance,
do I make you uncomfortable ?
do I challenge you today ?
I won't apologize,
I won't refrain,
I won't hold back.
We are all connected,
we must face the music.
We must grasp the challenges
of the world outside ourselves.
Meet me at the Pub, where we share our thoughts and our hearts.http://dversepoets.com/
Great scene you set and then tear it all apart, yeah I wouldn't want to drink from dainty teacups and talk about reality shows either, scary.
ReplyDeleteSo easy to shrink away rather than face the world which (these days) seems so much crueler now in so many various ways.
ReplyDeleteA lovely, emotional read.
My blog is fixed now, so hopefully you won't have anymore problems with it. :)
This is wonderful. And, so true.
ReplyDeletei feel you on this...its easier to skirt the issues and make polite conversation but what is the point? when there is so much we can do...
ReplyDeleteyes - there's a world outside ourselves - and we tend to forget..think it really needs a revolution of the mind..
ReplyDeleteso many heart issues
ReplyDeleteOh, I am very familiar with this scene and you paint it well. I call her the Queen of Denial... and that ain't no river in Egypt. ;)
ReplyDeleteRight on! I'm thinking about this too. This is not a civilization crumbling IT'S THE ENTIRE PLANET. Who decided we could live without the rain forests and the oceans? The planet may not need us but we need it! Well said.
ReplyDeleteI understand this very well.. it makes people uncomfortable really.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for your kind words about my parents. I really appreciate it.
Totally here with you on this, great job at illustrating the downfall throughout the piece.I don't want to dance this dance,
ReplyDeletedo I make you uncomfortable ?
do I challenge you today ? these questions and the way you answered them made the read for me. Great job, thanks
I like to feel uncomfortable:) These issues should be talked about.
ReplyDeleteI love the confrontation of the questions you pose here.
A really fantastic poem.
Indeed we must grasp the challenges of life outside ourselves. The problem seems to one of apathy. 'Seems it is so easy these days to feel apathy and not empathy. Wonder what that says about the world we live in. Lovely poem...says a lot.
ReplyDeleteYes, madam, we are really good at escaping from reality... a way to survive? I don't know.
ReplyDeleteso true Ayala ~ idle chatter without effect ~
ReplyDeleteyour blog always makes me smile tho :)
cause I adore your golden labrador
had one myself for fifteen years ~
I adored her ~
much love Lib
I hear you...so frustrating when people don't want to listen or take responsibility. I think we're getting to a point in our history where we'll have to soon...and we need to make people uncomfortable to see it. Very well written ..
ReplyDeleteLovely dose of truth for us all - another nice work, Ayala!
ReplyDeleteYes, we must stop getting so distracted that we ignore the suffering. It's pieces like this that will help us not forget. Thank you for writing it, Ayala :)
ReplyDeleteI dont want to dance this dance either and that one sentance sums it all up so very very well.
ReplyDeletepeople cope in different ways. . .
ReplyDeletegood piece!
Aloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
I really enyed this one!
ReplyDeleteyes. one person at a time, one act of kindness at a time, one act of service at a time. it'll add up, if we're just aware and active. love this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThe tea parties I go to aren't like the first you described, but not like the second either. We mostly talk about poetry and the inner life, sometimes politics. And then there is Alice.
I like the juxtaposition you created.
we all dance this dance of life together...wonderfully written my friend
ReplyDeleteBless you for reminding us and for keeping the ball aloft. We need to care more about what really matters...each other and this planet we borrowed. Our stewardship is wanting. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI know women like this - they kind of get on my nerves.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right. Great contrasts here.
ReplyDeleteoh i am not one for polite conversation. i have often been accused of being too blunt!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pat. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bren. I tried to leave a comment and again it would not let me. :( You are right so many people turn away because it's easier for them...go figure.
ReplyDeleteThank you, MZ.
ReplyDeleteBrian, you are right, what is the point? if we can't face reality.....
ReplyDeleteClaudia, it starts with awareness. Lori and I were saying that on blog action day...awareness. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, Wolfsrosebud.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, Patricia. :) well said. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gay...many important issues.
ReplyDeleteHeaven...it does make them uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteI wish your parents well.
Thank you, Fred. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Suzy....some are not moved because it's not happening in their backyard....
ReplyDeleteAdura, very true!
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Dulce.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lib. I always smile when I am told that Daisy brings joy to many that come here. Labs are just so loving. Sorry about yours, I know how hard that is. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louise. I think that these issues need to be discussed no matter how uncomfortable people get.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris. So excited about your book. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lori. It's what we talked about the other day...it starts with awareness.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tino.
ReplyDeleteCloudia...true and I am not judging anyone...only pointing out important issues that are happening in this day and age...which should not be ! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Laurie. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Adrienne. One act..one day..one world.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Colleen.
ReplyDeleteI am a frustrated that in 2011 we have children dying of starvation and crimes against humanity and......so much more!
Thank you, David. I am glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, 1emeraldcity.
ReplyDeleteSheila...smiles to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karin.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Kamana. :) That's great you should always speak your mind.
ReplyDeleteAmen, ayala. Life isn't lived in teacups.
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant. I wonder how people can just focus on the superficial and not worry about the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on FM - good for you, we need to understand this and be reminded of it every day, every day!
ReplyDeleteTrue, Joy...true.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rudri. I wonder too.....
ReplyDeleteYes, Anna. It's about awareness ....and caring about the world beyond our backyard.
ReplyDeleteVery motivational. There is a world that needs our attention so much more than our television sets (mine is rarely on so if anyone wanted to talk reality tv with me, it would be a short conversation)
ReplyDeleteBeth
this is so often my problem in social situations... especially when it turns to celebrities. we need more people who think like you.
ReplyDeleteSmash the teacups! Thanks for this great message. :)
ReplyDeletepowerful message sent here.
ReplyDeletelove your thoughtfulness on issues.
cool piece.
..'we are all connected'.. that line rings a command and many shapes of comprehension... i feel you most inspired in writing this piece my friend.. an undeniable simplicity and power... been out this late and busy hunting for a job and submitting resumes... hopefully, i get calls soon.
ReplyDeleteBrightest blessings!(:
~Kelvin
strong message
ReplyDeleteGood for you! "I don't want to dance this dance..." either.
ReplyDeletewhat a powerful piece. i like it so much. you speak for me and many, many others.
ReplyDeleteBeth...there is a world out there that needs help....
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mrs. Mediocrity.
ReplyDeleteSmash the illusion,Joanna.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Morning. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteKelvin,
ReplyDeleteThank you. I wish you well and I wish you good luck with the job. :)
Thank you, Luke :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Victoria :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ed. I hope all is well.
ReplyDeleteThose teacups - we drink our tea and murmur our words politely, ignoring or unaware of the reality around us. Good poem, Ayala.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard Eve Ensler speak? The message you have here is one of the running themes of her talks. We need to be done with the facade and appearances if we are going to elevate the state of humanity.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Ayala. I bet you and I could have some really good conversations in person.
Thank you, Glynn. I think it's time to open our eyes....
ReplyDeleteBelinda,
ReplyDeleteI have never heard Eve Ensler speak. I have read about her after you mentioned her to me a long time ago. I would love to see her in person one day. I would love to have conversations with you some day in person. You are one of those people that are an inspiration to others.
I agree. More needs to be done...but how? I think we try to do what we can, like writing a poem like this to make others aware.
ReplyDeleteso very true ... a powerful message ...
ReplyDeleteThe picture you've painted for me with your exquisite words is so very poignant and powerful. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCM, it starts with awareness ...and steps toward change.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Baishali.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Denise. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful write.
ReplyDeleteThank you, KB. :)
ReplyDeleteYou don't make me uncomfortable at all. I want to grasp other's challenges. Can we also talk about reality TV?
ReplyDeleteWe can escape reality in a number of ways... and miss the hurting people right under our noses.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Lauren. So important to grasp other's challenges. Reality television was just a way for me to express my frustration...... :)
ReplyDeleteLeslie, the need is greater and greater.....
ReplyDeletejust can't tell you how much i like this. there's nothing as important as action, and that's why so few act, in one way or another. thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ed. It takes passion and a dream...then action.
ReplyDelete