LJ Idol // Literary Prize Fight - Week 12 ~ McGuffin

[megatronix]

A little girl in an attic sought to be quiet enough to be safe, sought refuge with a pen in the pages of her little book of blank spaces waiting to be filled. She didn't know her words would be spread worldwide, filling the blank slates of tiny humans who can barely comprehend her journey, or why things played out like they did, why she was taken from the world.

A little boy of the same time grew up, observed, took in, and spoke out. This isn't right, he knew. This shouldn't be. He shared with us his Dream. And then someone took him from the world, too.

Get rid of these things, the Takers said of these fine people. I don't want things to be equal. I want things to be more equal for ME! the Takers cried.

Another writer had captured the Takers remarkably well in his own pages, painted them as pigs and sheep, an insult to the pigs and sheep, really.

What the little girl, the Dreamer, and the writer all sought after is the longed-for treasure of Truth And Equity.

And we still seek it.

The truth is, it's a game to the Takers, a game of money and greed. The truth is, it doesn't have to be this way. The truth is, we can do better. So much better than a bully for a President, ripping families from other nations apart, letting children die in ice boxes, and building a giant wall to protect us against what they say is Other, but is really Us.

We can take down that wall, and all the others. We are holding our hammers. We just need to raise them up, as we raise our voices to be heard.

And when we need help seeing how ridiculous it all is, there is nothing more illuminating than a gathering of little children, just like the child in the attic, the little children who sit on the floor, surrounded by volumes and volumes of words that have been put down on blank pages, as they ask, "but why? why was it ever this way?" And we who are grown like the man with the Dream, who share his dream, can only say, why indeed. And clench our grip tighter around the handles we are carrying.

Hard work may make our palms sweaty. But we will not lose our grip.

Comments

[fausts_dream]

I went political this week as well...this is well done.

[adoptedwriter]

I love your artful way of referencing Anne Frank and MLK.

[bellatrix_lestrange]

This was really well done and extremely thought provoking. Great job!

[rayaso]

I also liked the way you didn't specifically reveal the identities of Anne Frank and MLK. Political pieces can't be easy to write, but you did a great job with yours.

[murielle]

As always your writing is beautiful, even when you tackle a difficult and ugly issue. There is nothing in this world redeeming about bigotry, hatred, and cruelty. Nothing.

*Hugs*

[sonreir]

Good stuff. I love your last two lines.

[dmousey]

Hear! Hear! If I could walk I'd follow you after that piece! As it is, I'll stay an armchair warrior!! 🎀✌🐭🐁❄⛄

[bsgsix]

This is so thought-provoking - political and emotional both. Those last two lines really nail it and bring the point home.

Timely, well-written, and VERY intelligent (the non-reveal of those historical figures is wonderful). I truly enjoyed this.

[song_of_thea]

A compelling call for revolution!

[halfshellvenus]

A very thoughtful piece!

I like that you described Anne Frank and MLK without naming them. It was particularly effective here, as we all begin as children and all have the potential to learn the right things along the way rather than being swayed by the wrong ones--no matter how prevalent or powerful the wrong.

And it's being willing to stand up and say so that makes all the difference.

[kehlen.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[flipflop_diva]

This is really well done. I like how you don't actually say right out who anyone is, but how it's so easy to know just by the little description. It makes it more powerful, I think.