Liberalizing democracy
To the extent of
Embracing perversion---
Going out of one's way
To promote sexual orientation--
Is no less transgression
Than strangulating it
With iron censorship--
Simply touting
The government
Is immaculate!
Lynn Hamilton
Thu 10th Dec 2015 22:58
Alem
My life is not ruled by god, the dictionary and my writing is perverse. Keep writing about what you feel is right.
Lynn
Why do you consider the argument a slog ?
Writeoutloud.com is a platform for promoting readership and authorship of poetry and widening horizons of thinking.
We must not confine our attention to soft issue like romance as the saying goes "Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker!"
Why do you evade answering my question to the dictionary meaning of perversion?Does the 21th century beg for a new dictionary?
I have no intention of offending people.Far be it from me harming the feelings of others.
Referring dictionaries, show me a better rhyming word with some what an equivalent meaning.I am willing to learn.
If African leaders are found guilty of despotic acts by African courts, I see no reason why they should not be held accountable.By the same token leaders from developed countries must be held accountable for the blunders they commit.
The second stanza slams democracy in the east while the first democracy in the west.I tried to be fair.No complaint has come from the east in my poetryblogs on which I posted this poem.
I am not arguing for the sake of arguing.If new trends are coming we have to redefine words and terminologies.
The floor is open for discussion.I want to hear more advice.If I am wrong I am willing to be corrected.
I am not judgemental,for the judge is God the Almighty.
rarely get involved in these sort of tedious slogs so i will just post this and go about my day.
poem
[poh-uh m]
Spell Syllables
Examples Word Origin
noun
1.
a composition in verse, especially one that is characterized by a highly developed artistic form and by the use of heightened language and rhythm to express an intensely imaginative interpretation of the subject.
2.
composition that, though not in verse, is characterized by great beauty of language or expression:
a prose poem from the Scriptures; a symphonic poem.
3.
something having qualities that are suggestive of or likened to those of poetry:
Marcel, that chicken cacciatore was an absolute poem.
the above is not a poem. it is opinion piece delivered in order to evoke the very comments that i, sadly, am now participating in.
despite my limited knowledge of african politics (i am sure you know more having lived/living there) i do know that robert mugabe was responsible (or partly so) for the slaughter of tens of thousands of human beings. this does not mean, of course, that agreeing with one of his policies/ opinions makes you a fan of genoicde.
however, anyone who sees homosexuality as a perversion in the 21st century will come across deeply flawed to the vast majority of, shall we say, slightly more 'learned' people.
i respect your views on your country and your outlook on life but i'm afraid you must be prepared for the inevitable backlash when you post things online with the sole purpose of inciting negative feedback.
i'm fully aware that most people have an answer for everything nowadays, and that this comment is indeed an answer from myself. however, i will not be awaiting further comment on this piece, as i come to this site for poetry and feedback, not offensive Victorian outlooks.
merely my opinion mind you.
The dictionary meaning of perversion runs as follows
www.thefreedictionary.com/perversion
(It is you yourself who coined the word with the practice mentioned.It is that way I found it in many books.Hence you have no ground to complain about my choice of word.Poetry is nothing but placing the best word at the best place.)
//perversion
pəˈvəːʃ(ə)n/
noun
noun: perversion; plural noun: perversions
1.
distortion or corruption of the original course, meaning, or state of something.
"the thing which most disturbed him was the perversion of language and truth"
synonyms: distortion, misrepresentation, falsification, travesty, misinterpretation, misconstruction, twisting, corruption, subversion, misuse, misapplication, debasement
"a twisted perversion of the truth"
2.
sexual behaviour that is considered abnormal and unacceptable.
"his book revolutionized ideas about sexual perversion"
synonyms: deviance, deviancy, deviation; More//
Of course English is not my mother tongue.But I have read so many classic novels specially translation of Raduga /Progress publisher.I have read and translated classic English poems in Amharic
When I said" I second Mugabe and Museveni " I was simply referring to their stance on homosexuality.Here there is no need to politicize things.Regarding the black English man may be Museveni was mocking you!Don't underestimate him he is a witty politician.Try to get his interview on Hard Talk,BBC
Also will you not be surprised if somebody tells you something strange?
"There were white slaves in Ethiopia after the battle of Adwa."Do you believe that?
I want other poets to give comment on these issues.
Lynn Hamilton
Wed 9th Dec 2015 22:35
Hi Alem. Read and not commented, reverted back and not commented, find myself here again, reading so I have to comment. I hope that in itself is a worthy comment. Lynn x
I am happy that you accept the right of consenting adults to love one another as they please, but your use of the word "perversion" is offensive to homosexuals as this is an abusive word. A poet should the care of the words he chooses. The incidents you mention - child molestation and rape - are crimes in my country as much as in yours and are not tolerated by myself nor the people of any "liberalised" country.
If one is above 18 and chooses to engage in such an act, it is up to him/her as long us one doesn't use force and the like.
But what is the warrant under-age children will not be talked into or forced to such an act, averse to a natural trend?
Here in my country
Some foreigner running an NGO was found engaged in such an act . (Child Molestation)
Some kindergarten teachers were found practising such a crime. (Child Molestation)
A high ranking diplomat was killed here while trying to practise such an act on a young adult,who found such an act a perversion and an affront to his dignity. ( Attempt to Rape)
Though it is not good to generalize we have to be careful.Liberalizing things too much has its problem.
If you find it good keep it for yourself there.
I second African leaders like Museveni and Mugabe.
You have no reason to be afraid of people just because their sexual orientation is different to your own. We can all live together happily if we learn tolerance.
Yes there has to be a limit for everything!
Alem,
Neatly - and economically - put. A timely reminder that democracy can be `liberalised` too much.
If you wish to post a comment you must login.
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
Alem Hailu G/Kristos
Fri 11th Dec 2015 06:52
Thanks Lynn
On www.hellopoetry.com blog there is a corner for poets who have interest for the aforementioned tendency.They write things freely.No one contradicts them.By the same token they must not also be irritated when someone that doesn't buy their idea writes something that runs contrary to their interest,which has not yet got worldwide(dictionary) acceptance.