RESPECT

Respect Personified

Respect

rests quietly,

but if he rises

he has a mountain's voice  

without words.

He is stalwart as a soldier,

frightening as a general 

YET

gentle as a kitten's curl

when pressed 

against

a trustworthy heart.

He is not demeaned

by bowing

to the most 

unlikely masters

and

stands with Lady Justice

when sparrows are broken.

His leathered hands

cradle withered seeds

and he plants them surely

for he knows the bloom

of hope.

Author's Note

Written for the "Respect Personified" Contest...please let me know what you think.

Reviews

[Richard🖌]

What I think?

Well, Claire,
I'm not certain I've enough or adequate words to express how impressed and swept-up I am by the sheer power and wisdom emanating from your words, into my mind, heart, and soul. Suffice it to say how very much I wish I'd composed this wonderful Free Verse piece — even more-so, how envious I am by the level of your grammatical and creative skills. Respect? Yes, you can certainly call it that (and so much more).

What a distinct pleasure you are to read … thank you so very much, Dear Claire! ⁓ Richard

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Thank you for this beautiful review, Richard. This is one of my favorites...it reminds me of my father who is long passed. I so appreciate your kind words.

[Richard🖌]

You are sincerely and warmly welcome, Claire … smiles 'n hugs!
I know your father loved you tremendously, his little girl, and I know, too, he would be extremely proud of you, the woman … I hope he lived to read your brilliant poetry, Claire ⁓ Richard

[Samuel Dickens]

A unique concept---giving personhood to respect. I'd say you pulled it off with flying colors.

[Distant horizons]

Beautifully done. I think the world would be a better place if we all took more care in what we all sew.

[Pax]

this is what a leader should be. i like it.

[...]

I love this powerful portrait of emotion!

[Abhra]

Another beautiful poem. I like your vision of respect. You have a way of closing poems that I really really like. It leaves a residue in the mind of the reader, that slowly transforms and opens into something majestic. I like the last stanza very very much. A treat to read!

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

Your review means so much to me. Thank you, your words bolster me.

[JohnnyMagrinho]

This is interesting. There's some good imagery conjoured up by your descriptions and the pace compliments that.

Any particular reason you made 'Respect' a man and not a woman?

It reads well and there is a really good feel to the whole poem and i especially like the stalwart reference. That was a good way to involve the idea of war and conflict within the confines of respect. It worked well if a bit subtle.

I like this piece.

[MOON]

Lovely flowing write , beautiful lines but like the last stanza especially.

[Phibby Venable]

and

stands with Lady Justice

when sparrows are broken.

What beautiful lines. I love the images you have chosen.
And the strength!

[marytownsend]

I love this, very powerful imagery. Well written!

[Lydia]

Intense and powerful. Great write.