This Poem was Submitted By: cedric napti walters On Date: 2003-08-10 17:06:06 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

To Listen to Music While Reading this Poem, just Click Here!

Click Here To add this poem to your "Voting Possibilities" list!


MY VIEWS AND PHILOSPHY

I have faced dangers and remained undaunted, searched for truth in a world of lies and compromise.  Asserted my sense of self without imposing my views or values on others.  Listened carefully to the voiceless and understood their pain. Wondered why we continue to explore distant planets, even as ours decays. Battled unceasingly the forces of ignorance and discord, made my own path when others chose the safe and familiar. I’m convinced that guilt and innocence are largely decided on the basis of perception.  Rejected conformity and its lack of creativity, applied mathematical formulas in non mathematical ways; encouraged my children to be independent thinkers. Respected my elders even when I knew they were wrong, studied other cultures and found only superficial differences.  Rejoiced when the down trodden overcame, never gave a dime to the President’s fund.  Read Marx and agreed, disagreed, and sympathized with him all at once.  America sees everything in black and white. Avoided Mardi Gras and public events that lend themselves to drunkenness. The most important quality in a person is loyalty.   Wished for a classless society, had no faith in the church and hold that the state is overly intrusive.  Think that celebrity should be used to advocate social change. Had a crush on Mrs. Brown, my English college professor. Loved my mothers calm intellect.  Still feel Michael Manley and Malcolm X were  ahead of their time. Realized that there is no such thing as a small inconvenience, a fair trial, a self made man or the separation of powers. Depended on the kindness of strangers and have been betrayed by false friends. Now know that good intentions is just another named for potential energy. Pondered the importance of immortality, feel royalty is an anachronism. Consider 2Pac Shakur a misunderstood genius. Stood atop Cane River Falls in eastern Jamaica, watched day transition into night and marveled at God’s creation. Dedicated to my wife Carol and my five children

Copyright © August 2003 cedric napti walters


This Poem was Critiqued By: Galen never received one at bir Arrowhead On Date: 2003-09-06 14:47:33
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.52632
An interesting poem, especially noted some of the contradictions and I think they lend an air of humanness to the narrator. The philosophy here is hard, at least for me, to capture into a sentence or two. I'm left with more of a sense of narrator, rather than anything I can put into logical intelligence. I especially like the transition to nature and God's wonders at the end, because the beginning starts so sad, at least for me. Hope to see others of yours. Good Luck.


This Poem was Critiqued By: Brandon Gene Petit On Date: 2003-08-15 10:27:06
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.80000
This work of prose speaks boldly and honestly, at the same time giving us an insight into your personality. I agree with most of your views on society and the frustration in the poem speaks to me. Aside from being blunt, there's also a bit of clever wit and personality as you mention a crush on your english college professor and loving your mother's calm intellect. A good window into your world and perspective, well titled. - Brandon
This Poem was Critiqued By: George L White On Date: 2003-08-15 08:39:00
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 8.75000
Hi Cedric, First, I love your example of courage in writing this piece. So many would shy away from saying exactly were they are, especially in public! Secondly; As I look at your piece I am wondering about the title. There seems to be either something missing in the title, or a couple of extras in the piece. I hear some of your views, some of your philosophy and a couple of, what I would call, your judgments; •America sees everything in black and white. •The most important quality in a person is loyalty. It may seem a subtle distinction, however, I believe views and philosophies differ from judgments, in that the first two are what you believe to be so, observations, and considerations while judgments are more related to rulings and decisions as in ‘this is what’s so, the truth.’ So I guess I have used a lot of words to say a simple thing. But it seems important to the piece, to me, that either those elements of judgment be taken out of the piece or the title reflect them. Third; You might give some attention to choosing what kind of punctuation you would choose to use consistently. Fourth; I think it is a well balanced piece, giving attention to a wide variety of views etc. Thank you for sharing this. I hope this was helpful. Feel free to throw away any and all parts of it. Regards, George
This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2003-08-13 19:21:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.04000
Cedric , great information stored within the lines of this one...though it is too lengthy to be considered a poem it still makes for a great read...have you thought of cutting it down into different aspects of work.....it would be good that way too. It does read more like a journal in form and it certainly holds this readers attention perhaps even wanting more......your dedication to your wife and children adds to this piece as well.......thank you for sharing this with us, I look forward tomore of your work on the link......be safe my friend, God Bless, Claire
Poetry Contests Online at The Poetic Link

Click HERE to return to ThePoeticLink.com Database Page!