submission

[Hertzan]

love the act or hate the act, it's a stupid word - it doesn't even sound half brave or daring or anything worthy.

[Carlie]

Is there no valor in cowardice?



Is there no valor in cowardice?

No honor in weakness

No bravery in acquiescence

Shall all the glory be showered on self-centered

Pompous, inflated chests of traits

Will there be no champion for the weak, the fearful

Will the beauty of fearfulness engender no admirers nor acknowledgements

Will submission beget no reward



Now, I speak of neither the grotesque nor the monstrous

But of the unattractive and underappreciated

Virtues within even those celebrated for courage and strength

Yes, battles beget medals and have histories written

Yet the meek shall inherit the earth



Where are the odes

To the protected and the safe

that do not jar the powerful and the cruel

But cautiously bow in deference

To avoid being trampled and pinched?

Those who heed the warning “resistance is futile”

Who avoid confrontation and embrace survival

[Carlie]

why should everything be daring and brave or worthy? It's not stupid to acquiesce. I choose to champion the ones who defer.

The above is a poem in progress by the way. Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

[Not Bill]

"Where are the odes
To the protected and the safe
that do not jar the powerful and the cruel
But cautiously bow in deference
To avoid being trampled and pinched?
Those who heed the warning “resistance is futile”
Who avoid confrontation and embrace survival"

There's a word for that, and it is "dhimmitude". I wonder where we would be today had Adams, Washington, and Henry felt thus.

As a work of writing though, I'm out of your league. I'll defer literary criticism to those who know know better.

[Hertzan]

I don't like Submission because it has the same meaning as Acquiesence or Head In The Sand ... and that's how Tyrants win. Go buy an iPhone.

[Not Bill]

Bingo Mike.

ummmm, hey why are discussing this under "sex"? Tha's a whole other slice pie.

[Lisa]

I hate the word.

I love the irony, or at least the subtle discomfort, that comes from offering something for publication being called "submission".

[Hertzan]

we can move this if it's that HOT a POTATO

:)

done

[Carlie]

Hypocrites the whole lot you who feign disgust at submission. ;)
Or do you deny that you only submit to the IRS and pay your taxes out of fear?

Agreed though is the total assumption that all Americans hate having to pay taxes and that people who are against the Iraq war would prefer not to have their funds support illegal actions by their government. Personally, I am disgusted that my tax dollars fund bank rescues, support of dictators, so-called collateral damage, farm bills, corporate welfare, and torture, etc. but I am not risking jail time so I submit.
I wonder if I'm the only person who feels she is being taxed without representation.

[Carlie]

NB - I recognize that bravery and defense is called for in some instances and am not saying they should not be lauded. What I am saying is that acquiescence should have its fair share of praise too. And thanks for the new word, I was considering using it for the poem's title but it doesn't capture its escence since the word has negative connotations.

Bunny - Thanks. But I don't like that ode because it also tries to demean submission via "obtuse ridiculous fool". It's gonna be difficult for me to try to ground it because it came from a purely intellectual rumination thanks to insomnia.