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Race_9togo
Race_9togo
Jul 13, 2010 ⭐ See this poem's read count — a supporter feature

The Voice You Will Remember

"Look at me", they shout,
"look at me,
look how wonderful I am
compared to you!"
But they are nothing,
less than insect defecation
stuck to grimy windows
sweltering in useless heat

"I am here", they shriek,
"I am here,
look how much I matter,
so much more than you!"
But they are insignificance,
as tiny as the lives they lead
pathetic amongst the throngs
they so desparately
try to rise above.

"I am wonderful," they scream,
"I am wonderful,
so much more unique than you!"
but they are only drones,
mindless, ego-driven to believe
that they are special,
instead of just another carbon copy
in the crowds
they will not ever stand out from.

"I am superior," they yell,
"I am the chosen one,
my life is worth more,
my time on Earth's important,
so much more than yours!"
Yet who will you remember in the end:
the din of those denying
the pointless failures of their lives,
or this lone voice quietly denying
the self-righteous certainty
of their significance?
— Race_9togo, Jul 13, 2010

About the Author

Region, Country: Earth Vicinity (within a five light-year radius), ZZC

Favorite Poets: John Donne, T.S. Eliot, Serendipity, Emily Dickenson, Kailashana, Charles Bukowski, Kabir, Rett, Dalton, W. B. Yeats, William Blake, Rainer Maria Rilke, and many other Neopoet poets; Neopoet has heavily influenced my poetry and my ability to write it well.

More from this author

Critiques

xena465

xena465

16 years ago

The Voice of authenticity

In realistic terms is the only one that really matters, because at the end of the day one can shout their mouths out as much as they want, but is it real life or just a fantasy of one who’s lost in their own prison of what they believe in, only for themselves, false Gods, unrealistic reasoning? Sorry Jim I’m probably way off the mark of the understanding of this, but I’m not so good at interpretation of splendid poetry like this. That’s why I don’t comment much on poems such as yours. I can’t offer anything other than … Brilliant. PS. I used to read a lot of poetry on your level from other great poets, but could never give a good enough comment. So I stopped reading them. Xena Quote: Science is what you know; philosophy is what you don't know. - Bertrand Russell
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Um....

Sorry Rosina... You are right, right and right. Heehee. I love the way you explained what you got from this one. You got it, 100%. Tough Glaswegian ladies are real smart ( Ihave yet to meet one who isn't), they just won't admit it. ;) As for commenting...since folks like you are enjoying what I write, I would prefer that you comment away with gusto, and forget about worrying if you're right or not about its meaning. It doesn't matter whether or not you know what a poem is about...what is important is what you THINK it means, did you enjoy it, and how you would make it better. So comment on, Rosina, and thank you for it, it means a lot to me. Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
xena465

xena465

16 years ago

That's good to hear

I've often read your poems in past and thought “WoW”, but my comments tend to drift off into a world of its own and I’ve found that with some people they’re only interested in critique, so I get shy about giving my version of thoughts. Also in the past I’ve left comments to others and they don’t even acknowledge them. So I eventually gave up and now stick with the people who have the same kind of mind as me and don’t shy away from sentiment. I’m so glad I got it right. We Glaswegians are tough cookies, me, The Warrior Princess of course. Xena Quote: Science is what you know; philosophy is what you don't know. - Bertrand Russell
Kailashana

Kailashana

16 years ago

Fear.To admit insignificance

Fear. To admit insignificance is the first step in an egalitarian world. And then we write poems about the insignificance of those who taut significance, eh Jim? Oh, the humanity! Light, Anna "There is a kind of mysticism to writing." ~ Irvine Welsh
M

magics02

16 years ago

Really nice one race!!

I just love how you put this one all together race. Really a great mindset of writing and it flowed so easy and yet so strongly, Five stars and a Nom for creativity and you. Bravo to you Love at ya guy Mona xoox
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

LOL

Ta very much, Mona! Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Anna,

LOL If anyone was going to catch the irony of insulting the insignificant as they try to be significant, I should have known it would be you. Heehee. Egalitarian world....certainly not in my lifetime...and I sincerely hope not in my children's either. Egalitarianism is the lowering of lifestyle, prosperity, education, expectation, innovation, incentive and justice to the lowest common denominator, while criticising, marginalizing, denigrating and "correcting" individuality and free thought. Shades of communist collectives in Chairman Mao's cultural revolution. Or the mandatory ten-year sentences for almost all "crimes" in Uncle Joe's Soviet Socialist Gulag Republics. Or the mandatory sentences in our OWN gulag system, for that matter. Most egalitarian. I prefer ability to better myself and help others do it, the freedom to speak loudly and without fear of retribution, the opportunity to meet and exceed my own potential and limits, the freedom to haul myself up to the summit of the midden, wipe the feces off my Nikes, and pull as many others with me as I possibly can. Maybe that IS egalitarian, now I think about it. Heehee. Thanks for your comment, Anna, always appreciated. ;) Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
Kailashana

Kailashana

16 years ago

Thank you Jim, for this a

Thank you Jim, for this a dialogue! (How I long for it!) Many years ago, my friend Sam and I were having one... At that time, I had more of a spiritual ego than I do no (Ha! Such a monstrosity that one!) I said, if I had the answer, I'd leave this earth plane in a heartbeat... he looked at me incredulously and spoke thus paraphrased, "anna, you selfish bitch, wouldn't you turn around extend your hand, help me climb up too?" What a perfect way of saying it, Jim: "I prefer ability to better myself and help others do it, the freedom to speak loudly and without fear of retribution, the opportunity to meet and exceed my own potential and limits, the freedom to haul myself up to the summit of the midden, wipe the feces off my Nikes, and pull as many others with me as I possibly can." Words to live by. With great respect, Anna "There is a kind of mysticism to writing." ~ Irvine Welsh
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Thanks Anna,

Yes, I have never understood the idea of leaving others behind so that you and yours can have more, at their expense. Its always better for others to get to where you are, not through extended handouts, which do nothing but perpetuate the problems that prevent people from rising into wealth and prosperity, but rather by educating, training, and providing opportunity. There's nothing wrong with feeding someone who is hungry or sheltering someone homeless - its absolutely necessary - but teach a man to fish, etc. and he rises, and ultimately brings his family with him. Jesus, I sound so self-righteous, lmao. Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Thanks Greeneyes,

Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
Seren

Seren

16 years ago

Dear Jim

I can only Bravo and Applause love and hugs JayCee x x (Quote~~"It is by universal misunderstanding that all agree. For if, by ill luck, people understood each other, they would never agree. "--Charles Baudelaire)
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Hey thanks Jayne,

Almost a rant, I guess, but no directed at any one person. Glad you enjoyed it. Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
Candlewitch

Candlewitch

16 years ago

Dear Jim

Five stars and nomination. I would like this poem to hit the spotlight so more members will read it. Favorite lines: “I am superior,” they yell, “I am the chosen one, my life is worth more, my time on Earth important, so much more than yours!” Yet in the end who will you remember: the din of those denying the pointless failures of their lives, or this lone voice quietly denying the self-righteous certainty of significance? Always, Cat
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Thank you Cat

You probably know, I don't put too much stock in the Spotlight... ...but I'll take it; this could grow on me, heeheehee. Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
Kailashana

Kailashana

16 years ago

Sometimes, (the 100th monkey

Sometimes, (the 100th monkey theory?) spotlight serves to illuminate uncompromising truth rather than grandiosity or grandstanding. lol. I came to it just now and poof you're number four. Oh, how the blood of a poem seeps from public view! ~Light, Anna "There is a kind of mysticism to writing." ~ Irvine Welsh
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Monkey Theory 101: Spotlight Retention Techniques...

...Offered by Neopoet Online, a hard-knock university LMAO Sorry, but I think you know how I feel about the Spotlight (no offense anyone), what it is and how it really works, and I don't think it's very useful to me, as a poet. To the site perhaps, but from my perspective it serves only to stroke my ego, and mine's already (ahem) big enough. Concerning truth: "Truth is after all a moving target Hairs to split, and pieces that don't fit How can anybody be enlightened? Truth is after all so poorly lit It's just the age It's just a stage We disengage We turn the page..." : the rock band Rush Heehee And I'm number THREE god dammit THREE LOOK AT ME I"M NUMBER THREE!!!!! Significance is a BITCH. LMAO Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
Kailashana

Kailashana

16 years ago

So is insignificance…Ya

So is insignificance... Ya can't win for losing, Jim, can we? Everything *significant* we have built over our lifetimes is lost in the end except for what we leave in poetic art to the world (no matter what form our poetry takes ie. architecture, words, paintings, children etc.) and what we leave that lives in our loved ones' hearts. Light and Love, Anna "There is a kind of mysticism to writing." ~ Irvine Welsh
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Anna,

I think that depends upon whether or not you decide to do something significant, and make sure that it gets done. Either physically or emotionally, good or bad. I mean, you know who Dr. King is right? And Ted Bundy too, I'll bet. For most of us, though, the only thing we can influence past the measure of our own lives are the lives of our loved ones. Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
Tonya Greenlee

Tonya Greenlee

16 years ago

A gem, Jim

I can't help but think those that shout how great they are upon their accomplishments and belittling of others, eventually find themselves all alone. I would rather sing the praises of of my friends and truly be glad in my heart for them for their accomplishments. What fun is there in feeling envy, planning spite or trying to make someone else feel less superior? Unless one happens to like feeling like a heel. lol Enjoyed your insight and extremely glad you are sharing this work. Always, Tonya heehee.. i feel the same way about spot light, but dang if i am not gonna try to give you another level up! lol :0) I have decided not to do stars. I would rather just comment. and agree with your comments to Xena! I love to hear the interpretation and ideas people get after reading anything I have written. Good or bad.. it all helps.
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Thanks Tonya

There is a great deal of fun and satisfaction in belittling others, spitefulness, denigrating and insulting people, being envious of them and feeling superior. That is the true insidiousness of petty ego-driven evil. But its like heroin, a poison that makes you feel good until its effects wear off, and you're left feeling hollow enough and sick enough to need more, until eventually it kills you. Its far, far more satisfying and wholesome to help others in their need, to help them get to where they want to go. Decades ago, my mother had a neighbor that she didn't like. They fought, they disrespected each other, they simply could not get along. Then one day a very very close friend of my mother died suddenly. A de facto sister, in fact. My mother was devastated. This being in the Scottish highlands, everyone knew about everything ten minutes before it happened, and people started coming around to help with the arrangements, funeral and wake almost immediately. The first one to come and help? My mother's disliked neighbor. The reason she came to help? Because help was needed. Help she did, and her and my mother eventually shared a real friendship. A thing I have never forgotten. Glad you enjoyed my poem, Tonya. Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race
LZ

Lil Z

16 years ago

Hello Jim!

Just wanted to tell you I stopped by and enjoyed reading your poem, brilliant work! Sincerely, Lil Z
Race_9togo

Race_9togo

16 years ago

Thanks Z

Glad you enjoyed it so much. Respectfully Jim "Laws and rules don't kill freedom: narrow-minded intolerance does" : Race

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