Defining Wrong, by Scott Owens
Scott Owens
DEFINING WRONG
So I’ve had this argument before
at 10 when I was told
I was being hit so I would understand,
at 13 when my friends tried
to beat into me
that the only thing worse than a nigger
was a nigger lover,
at 17 when my father said
if they didn’t want to be raped
they wouldn’t go into places like that,
last year when my mother’s new husband
told me god hates fags.
I don’t care what anyone’s god
believes is wrong.
I know what is wrong.
What causes harm is wrong.
What takes away freedom is wrong.
What makes another feel small is wrong.
And silence is wrong.
It’s easy to keep your mouth shut.
You keep your job that way.
You keep peace in the home.
It’s easy just to go along.
It’s easy, but it’s wrong.
Amazing poem, Scott. The words work well. The feeling comes across poignantly.
Mary Ricketson
November 26, 2012 at 2:26 am
Thank you, Scott. No more silence.
kmerrifi
November 26, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Great poem. I particularly love the rhythm in the last few lines as you drive it home.
Addy McCulloch
November 26, 2012 at 6:56 pm
Scott,
This is a moving poem on a volatile subject, and I appreciate your willingness to share it with the larger audience it deserves. Nice going, my friend!
Ron Moran
Ronald Moran
November 27, 2012 at 4:16 am
Scott, I really like this poem. I can identify with so much of it, and how I love the ending. Great job!
Glenda Barrett
November 27, 2012 at 11:33 pm
Scott,
You’ve done an awesome job posting these poems. I’ve enjoyed reading all of them. This is also a great poem.
Brenda Kay Ledford
November 28, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Guilty! I admit it. If anyone really goes through life without tip-toeing around an abuser at some point, I bow down to her or him. But the poem, the poem is great.
Marsha Mathews
December 8, 2012 at 8:57 pm
I have been wrong many times in my life – afraid to speak up – to speak out for what I believe and know is right. How great it is to reach an age as I have now that I don’t worry about the consequences – I know right from wrong and I do speak out. Great Poem, Scott.
Glenda Beall
January 16, 2013 at 11:30 pm
Scott, I particularly liked this one and the HISTORY LESSON. If we speak out in a pleasing manner, perhaps it will make a dent in someone’s mindset. I like the structure of both poems very much.
Lucy Cole Gratton
January 17, 2013 at 1:12 am
My thanks to you all for your consideration and comments.
wildgoosepoetryreview
January 29, 2013 at 2:53 am