7 Comments
⭠ Return to thread

What a beautiful elevation of the mundane this poem is, and the dull brown dove a phoenix in disguise. Your prompt got me to thinking about how permission and power have co-evolved.

***

In the absence of coercion,

whether within or without,

whether a whisper or shout,

there really is no need

for permission.

There is no contrivance of condition,

no prerequisite compliance or submission.

No scar tissue of indecision.

Nothing

but the clear, bright recognition

of our innate,

organic,

authentic

volition.

Expand full comment

This is so punchy and thought provoking! I’ve never thought about the relationship between permission and power, but it seems so apt to describe them as co-evolved. It makes me think too how very much the powers that be do not want anyone else to recognize their own power for self-permission. And what an amazing power that is - to recognize our own ability to grant ourselves permission.

Expand full comment

Thanks, friend. As I thought about the permission-power connection, it also occurred to me that even our need for self-permission is just internalized coercion, a result of conditioning by the powers-that-be.

Expand full comment

You have such a clever way with words, Keith. I love this.

Expand full comment

Thanks so much, A. :))

Expand full comment

This is splendid, Keith! I line the pace and cadence you create with the rhyming and flow. Line so many of your fine poems, I can hear this one being done e so nicely as a spoken word piece. You are a gift and a blessing!

Expand full comment

Thank you, Larry - appreciate your kind feedback :))

Expand full comment