The Right to Personalize

by Belinda Munoz on October 6, 2010

On this bureaucratic ground
where the march
forms a line
moving steadily,
may I never
lose the urge
to diverge
when I’d rather be skipping, hopping, running, dancing

On that dogmatic bench
where you judge
and interpret the law
with a laughable gavel,
may I
seize my chance
to protest
when I’d rather break the rules, change the rules, lose the rules

On that big black book
where you document
factual statements
with a note-taking witness,
may I never
abandon
my right to question
when black on white grays the technicolor touches of the days

On this winding path
where the twists hide
and the grade
on the hill deceives
may I muster
the courage
to own my slip-ups
when they’re foolish, bruising, bone-crushing

Maybe then
I’ll learn
to accept
the impermanence of what is,
and embrace
what is
for me

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October 6, 2010 at 9:45 am

{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }

1 brian October 6, 2010 at 4:12 am

you have identified the need to do things that scare many…ask questions, take another path…these are all vital to our individuality and should not be a threat to out faith (which you seem to allude to) but a chance to test it and find ourselves…nice one shot!

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2 Ben Langhinrichs October 6, 2010 at 4:38 am

Wonderful poem and sentiments. I like the format you used with the short choppy protest followed by a long line of flowing freedom. Very good,

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3 SuziCate October 6, 2010 at 6:34 am

Maybe then
I’ll learn
to accept
the impermanence of what is,
and embrace
what is
for me – good conclusion, love the pondering of this poem, may we all use our right to take a stand for that which we believe in.

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4 Katie October 6, 2010 at 6:42 am

Inspired and rebellious Belinda. Love it.

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5 Aging Mommy October 6, 2010 at 6:54 am

Great poem Belinda. As a person who always rebels against the rules this certainly hit home with me and is a reminder to always be true to yourself.

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6 dustus October 6, 2010 at 7:50 am

“when black on white grays the technicolor touches of the days..” wow, that’s quite a line! Love the humility and dignity you express, Belinda. Great One Shot!

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7 Claudia October 6, 2010 at 9:22 am

that poem shows quite the “rebel” in you belinda…really like it..to stand up for what we think is right…ask questions..so important – that’s a upright poem and i also love the title – it’s just perfect

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8 The Exception October 6, 2010 at 9:38 am

The conclusion is great –
In a society that is trying to move to everyone being so similar and rejecting those who don’t fit the mold, it is refreshing to be reminded of the importance of individuality.

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9 Chris G. October 6, 2010 at 11:11 am

A profound statement–and a declaration I can agree with. Stand up, and say it loud. Be an individual, and never be afraid of it. Many people lose themselves to the flow around them, and it is a shame–they would do well to note this poem!

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10 Victoria October 6, 2010 at 12:09 pm

I believe that, as poets, we are compelled to break the rules and to dare to go where no one else has gone.

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11 Meg October 6, 2010 at 12:50 pm

Rebel Rebel!

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12 Shashi October 6, 2010 at 1:26 pm

Nice one Belinda…

ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
Twitter: @VerseEveryDay
Blog: http://shadowdancingwithmind.blogspot.com

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13 tuberider October 6, 2010 at 1:27 pm

Oh yeah shout it out! Great poem, lovely rhythm.

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14 Eric Alder October 6, 2010 at 1:27 pm

Justice (or what passes for it sometimes) can be so impersonal. Thoughtful One Shot!

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15 Rudri October 6, 2010 at 1:46 pm

” Accept the Impermance for what is” – Beautiful Belinda. Your poetry is thought-provoking and inspiring. Bravo my friend!

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16 Lady Nyo October 6, 2010 at 3:48 pm

Powerful, mindful poem. Ideas to live by, which I think….is part of the reason for our poetry…to clarify a path.

Best!

Lady Nyo

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17 Timoteo October 6, 2010 at 4:42 pm

Stand for what you believe in…but not right in front of me in the movie theater!

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18 Raul October 6, 2010 at 4:54 pm

Bold, moving, inspiring words to start a day!

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19 G-Man October 6, 2010 at 5:15 pm

Belinda…
I loved your One Shot!
I’m really looking foreward to seeing you on Friday.
I post my 55 at 8:00 EST Thursday Night..

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20 Justine October 6, 2010 at 6:55 pm

Incredible, as usual, but this is my favorite:
“may I never
abandon
my right to question
when black on white grays the technicolor touches of the days”

This is powerful stuff. But then again, I’ve come to expect that of you. (No pressure) ;-)

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21 Lindsay October 7, 2010 at 6:41 am

LOVE IT!!!! If only more people in this country had that kind of attitude, it might not be too late to save us!

I will be back to read more :-)

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22 Sherry Blue Sky October 7, 2010 at 9:09 am

Well said. I especially love the last stanza.

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23 BigLittleWolf October 7, 2010 at 11:16 am

“when I’d rather break the rules, change the rules, lose the rules” – the power of peaceful protest, yes.

Beautiful and important words.

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24 Dia October 7, 2010 at 3:05 pm

Very nice poem Belinda. Thanks for sharing

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25 Giulietta Nardone October 7, 2010 at 4:17 pm

Hi Belinda,

I love the power in this poem. It seems to pick up more steam as it goes along. Naturally, I gravitate to this line:

“when I’d rather break the rules, change the rules, lose the rules”

The rules hold us back from creating real change most of the time. We always need to ask, “who really benefits from the rules?”

Wonderful! Giulietta

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26 Kate October 7, 2010 at 5:52 pm

“when black on white grays the technicolor touches of the days”
I just had to keep reading this line. Profound. Beautiful. Clear. Wow.

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27 Aileen October 10, 2010 at 11:48 pm

Belinda you have such an incredible gift of poetry and communication. I truly appreciate your talent!

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