Targets of the Watch List [An Original Poem]
Targets of the Watch List
It's getting hotter every day.
"Global warming," scientists say.
Rising temperatures; sweat drips
down a cynic's smirking lips.
No rise can outshine the sun.
Some consequences can't be outrun.
Save the individual. Sacrifice the state.
Some things shouldn't be up for debate.
Save the self. Sacrifice the group.
Save the whole, kill the young troop.
Is no loss worth the fight?
Another kid dies tonight.
We are one and all. Sacrifice one
for the many protects none
when any can become the chosen
who falters at the thought, frozen
to the spot where life meets death.
The mirror shows no body's breath.
Bated, he waited until she was sated.
Through no fault his own, it was fated
he'd protect her from the coming storm.
Together they'd vow to never conform.
Labeled extremists. Assumed terrorists,
they died targets of the Watch List.
[08-31-2014 © Monique Finley]
A Little History
Click the image to read the original news report from theintercept.comWhen this poem was written "the Watchlist" was in the news. It was a moment of clarity for news organizations that so many people were on the watchlist. Like other international travelers, I've become accustomed to the additional scrutiny (read TSA searches & seizures) at international airports (read border control checkpoints) and I was not shocked by this discovery. I was saddened. The report said that 40% of this list of people weren't affiliated with terrorists. But they were being watched. Their families, friends, and businesses were being scrutinized. How can anyone hold up to scrutiny of the sort exerted by a government agency with seemingly infinite resources?
Simultaneously, I struggle with the thought of a government without a watchlist. There are some seriously bad dudes on this planet. Probably, some government should be watching them. So, where's the line? Where's the point of no return? How much overreach is protecting the nation and how much is jeopardizing it?
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OHH! This was such a nice read! Definitely deserves more reads than it has gotten so far. As such, a resteem is in order. This has such a powerful message, one that's all too relevant in this day and age. Even if it's poetry, you thoroughly covered a wide range of topics. I especially liked the A Little History part. It kind of acted like a SILVER LINING of sorts. It's always great to have a backstory of how the poen unfolded :D
Hey thanks for the compliment and the resteem! I've been called a protest poet and I think this is a prime example of that. No one knows if they're on the watch list until it's too late. The A Little History really is similar to your SILVER LINING, after reading the first couple of yours, I thought about separating it into two posts. As you can see from this one, I decided to keep poem and history together. Maybe I need to do something in the title to reflect that it's a little more than just a poem. Hmm. Food for thought.
A protest poet! That's awesome!! I think that's a splendid title to have. Has an artsy rebel vibe to it. I think embedding the history is fine. I only separated it because of length issues, which you won't encounter for your poetry.
lol! I thought it was a pretty good one too. The really amazing lady that edited The Finley Human Experience used to call my poetry that.
I can definitely see the length challenge you faced, and you're right, shouldn't be a problem for these posts! :D
Oh wow you have a collection out! Nice! I wish SBD could be used to buy that. Better yet, why don't you sell it here instead? :D
That's a good idea. I hadn't thought of selling it on here before. I do actually have copies, so I could. Hmm. More food for thought!
Woohoo! Let me know if you ever decide to do so!
Sure thing! The little wheel's been turning in my head since reading your post. :D
This post has received a 1.04 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @banjo.
There comes a time, y'know, when we must slap the wrist of our governments with the heaviest ruler we can find.
Some governments get lighter rulers, but others?
Hit 'em with the goddamn brick. >:3
~Thomas Duder, JUST DRAW ON THE BRICK, NOW IT'S A RULER. :3
This is great imagery and right on! Some governments definitely need heavier rulers.