"The Saving Grace of Protest"

by Chevalterre Nabil

written in 30 minutes

Labor Day 2010

==========

Say it loud

Sait it proud

---

Say it clear

and stay near

---

As you express

and protest

---

the truth

must be confessed

---

there's much love

to be professed

---

Silence isn't gold

All the words

which within you hold

---

Begin to rot

and form to mold

---

For when you're a coward

not at all witty

nor bold

---

Your internal mulch

beginning to seep

and protrude

makes you explode!

---

Those rancid holes

you tend to

and harness

---

You cannot

push me into it

---

As my friends' love

sets me free

---

Their words

of kindness and concern

protest your wicked enchantment

with glee

---

Oh, my beloveds!

for thee

I reach!

---

And say

Thank you!

---

for the shield

formed by

your protesting words

---

And when

I remembered myself

---

and my yearning

for happiness

and freedom

---

which the hating witch

allowed me

so seldom...

---

I embraced the shield

and it broke me free...

---

The witche's enchantment

was one of loathing

and disgust.

---

I'd felt compassion

for him

... we each thought

rescuing each other

was a must

---

But with time

He did drain me

---

So blind I became

I could not seek

---

to pull myself

out of the emotional dungeon

---

and he'd maintained

me there

---

naked and bare

Lustful his glare

---

He'd provided

so long as I begged

---

I'd yearned for

warm touches

---

not cold, boring

tongue lashings

in the bed.

---

Then he'd let me wander

dazed... astray

---

I'd asked...

Why can I not find

my way?

---

Oh, come and see me

for one day.

---

And he said...

No.

That it was

not in his plans...

---

and clearly

not in his heart

---

I reached for my shield

and pushed us apart.

---

Now I am back

healthy, serene.

---

and again, my friend,

Thanks for saying

just what you mean.