No Room For Manoeuvre

look at the righteous

standing in a flood of glory

haloes polished to dazzling 

perfection

even their reflection

in still waters requires shades

to dim the blaze of bright light

blinding in brilliance

they own the monopoly

on what's right you know

their way is always best

never a doubt never a niggle

never wriggle room for

an alternative point of view

or consideration there's merit

in what the rest of us think

yet alone do

rock solid can't be moved

stuck in the groove of a straight

jacket strangling

squeezing

every ounce of breath

no quick death here

long and drawn out

retribution they say

make them pay

make them beg for mercy

for indiscretions 

of the past make them pay

there is only one way

to live

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Dear Chris, we live in a messy world.
"make them beg for mercy
for indiscretions
of the past make them pay
there is only one way
to live"
Once I thought I had nothing and I met people who had less. Water and food was a great blessing to them. In a world of so many dying from starvation. Forgotten in the messy world of war and the wealthy. I enjoyed the poem. You made the reader ponder and think. I pray the bad people will pay somewhere. Thank you for sharing your amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Coyote we do live in a messed up world and there are some messed up people in it too. Really appreciate you stopping by my friend. Enjoy the rest of the day.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris. I hope you are enjoying the days of July.

[Chris Shaw]

We have just had a family holiday, so are well rested and looking forward to hotter weather. Hope you are seeing lots of your grandchildren.

[neurostar burns]

A waking poem, a lifetime of "learning".
Now to move on and out of the thought rut. Commiserating does not bring release.
So try an old observation and just observe and let the others trip over their feet. View with hard to keep equanmity the cycles of people's habit without joining their rut.
Best and peace,
neurostar

[Shelley Warner]

That poem makes me think of conservative religion. I use to be what you might call an "evangelical". I'm thankful for the journey that brought me out of that. Still working on what I do believe

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Pleased you changed direction to something which suits you better. Yes, religion can become a problem. You are appreciated Shelley.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Sounds like a description of the woke folk. They think in absolutes, cannot perceive the color gray. They also think pendulums only swing one way. They will be totally clueless when that backswing comes for them.

[Chris Shaw]

Roll on the backswing, it's coming. Yes, they are too short sighted to appeciate the physics in pendulums. Thank you for your thoughts John.

Chris

[butterfly]

I loved the poem Chris. It makes me think differently about manoeuvre

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear butterfly. I akways welcome your visits. Keep flying and safe with it.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, there are people who are extremely judgemental to others, who won't budge an inch, let alone be merciful. The down trodden must beg, pay for a life, while the top of the line looks down upon them...and makes others suffer to the end, a slow, painful death. Don't look back on the righteous, because they are wrong.
well done Chris,
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Betty for your thoughtful review and your continued support of my musings. So thankful am I.

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

I feel like we all have the right for our beliefs without imposing, we have the right to agree to disagree without forcing, we have the right to lead, follow or not at all without attacking or warring. No one is perfect except the Almighty of course and I know He does not expect us to be so. Religion was revealed to worship the One and Only Deity, have a companionship with Him, know ourselves, apply the golden rule and so forth... Man falls short and we all do. Good to know ones self and our limitations.
An excellent poem and much needed Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

It is the imposing, the forcing I have a problem with dear Sami. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion without having to ram it down the throats of all and sundry. Always pleased to have a visit from you. .

Chris

[Sami Khalil]

I totally agree. Pleasure to see you. Always welcome.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh dear....I have seen so many born again Christians treat their fellowman like a******s.
They don't practice what they preach and they look down on those souls they feel are damned because
they don't join some imaginary group of godsmacked individuals with a herd mentality that if
they consider themselves above the rest, they will still be on that pedestal when their lives end.
not so fast, ye all!

[Chris Shaw]

Ah! You have met them too in your travels J. Yes the born again are always worse aren't they? Thank you for checking this one out.

Chris

[Chris]

Well young Lady... they DO have a way with "guilting" don't they?

[Chris Shaw]

You don't expect me to answer that do you :)) Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Chris]

Chuckling here... sigh.

[Dave Brown]

easy enough to find flaws with the old human bean, at least with this one you can turn it off or just walk away

[Chris Shaw]

You are so right. We are all flawed but some people don't see their own and set themselves up as a model of vurtye. Thanks Dave for checking in.

Chris

[.]

What a true reflection on judgemental people and their way of pointing things... I really liked the verse" Even their reflection in still water requires shades... ".it requires an iron nerve to stand on someone's own ground sometimes. But you know when you are right you get that strength from within... It just shakes, can't move. I really enjoyed this write.... Really strong

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Sima. Pleased you enjoyed the read. I certainly enjoy your responses. Take care.
read moreThank you dear Sima. Pleased you enjoyed the read. I certainly enjoy your responses. Take care.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

I have a difficult time and very few patience for self centered righteous people who think their way is the only correct way. It drives me bonkers and cuss mentally and sometimes outwardly

[Chris Shaw]

Can't say I disagree with you PB. Some drive you nuts with their holier than thou attitude. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris

[Poetic Beauty]

I see it as we all sun and no one is perfect. Don’t pretend or act to be better than someone else who is trying and doing their best!!