A towering figure to some; a dictator and a villain of the cold war to others. He achieved none of lasting good to his people who suffered and keep suffering from his regime. I'm glad the US is moving forward with normalization and good gestures towards the great people of Cuba. Hopefully good changes will come out of this after this dark cloud has passed...Excellent, sir Jacob...:).................
Here is a good cigar, enjoy>>>
Posted 8 Years Ago
1 of 1 people found this review constructive.
8 Years Ago
thank you for your words of wisdom, Sami...yes, we move on...and we can't blame a people for the act.. read morethank you for your words of wisdom, Sami...yes, we move on...and we can't blame a people for the actions of one man.
j.
8 Years Ago
I totally agree for they are oppressed and a hostage to people his type. You are welcome. ...:::))))
A unique piece I like it but have mixed feelings in this the good guy is the bar guy which is a twist I do love to see as well the history reference is fantastic lovely work.
The would-be gods are so often astonished at their own mortality.
Still, Castro's illegitimate regime continues to reign.
Hopefully, better days are coming for the long-suffering Cuban people--as well as our own spiritually stagnated fellow citizens.
Meaningful work, Jacob of Carbondale.
The winds of time, blow; our friends become our foes, or foes our friends. Sometimes it takes a hundred years before the historians get the truth told; how I wish I were around then to read those words. Your words sum it all up quite well.
Posted 7 Years Ago
7 Years Ago
wow we would be 167 and a 166 in the next hundred years...i would probably have really bad eyes by t.. read morewow we would be 167 and a 166 in the next hundred years...i would probably have really bad eyes by then.
Yes Cuba having ties with Russia ruffled the feathers of the U.S.one wonders if the cold war will meltdown into one of helping that country and seeing the release of those affected.
Posted 8 Years Ago
8 Years Ago
yes, we do wonder that...thank you for your words, andrew.
j.
and i applaud your closing sir! one day perhaps we will know the price he is paying now for all his atrocities dealt his own people .. America use to be such a strong country against all dictators .. i hope we can find the balance that will prick the souls of them ... but seems they only respect violence ... and might .. not even the harshest of "sanctions" has done a thing .. dictators simply watch their people suffer from their high ground .. well said, powerful poem ..very emotive for me ..
E.
Posted 8 Years Ago
8 Years Ago
yes, sanctions...not so effective anymore...like you said...takes violence...so unfortunate...where .. read moreyes, sanctions...not so effective anymore...like you said...takes violence...so unfortunate...where is the love anymore.
thank you for your insightful words...
j.
8 Years Ago
well, my friend, i do love you; with respect :))) and your poetry!
the last line is just spell bound..when I read your poem, all the time a feelings to read it more and fetch many meanings from your words..and somehow start to compare with my own..it has been a long since I was absent from wc and had missed a lot of your writing..so today can't decide from where I should start but it is truly amazing..
Amazing how history changes our view. From jungle freedom fighter with Che, to a hero to many who in the end became nothing more than what he fought against.
A turbulent time for any old enough to witness the newscasts and eventually the violent spillover onto our streets.
Good write, j.
Posted 8 Years Ago
8 Years Ago
so true, all that you said, Ted..
people sometimes become exactly what they fight aga.. read moreso true, all that you said, Ted..
people sometimes become exactly what they fight against becoming.
you have to be old like me jacob to catch the reference to Fidel. My ship stopped in Guantanamo back during the height of the cold war and then (as now i suppose) it was the harshest place in the world. Hot and cement(y). surrounded by machine guns and land mines/ a place not worthy of human habitation. It is being fazed out as a detention center by the Obama administration, but i couldn't imagine any place for worse punishment. But now the King is dead. The belligerent bully 90 miles from the Florida coast. But after so many years of chilly relations, what should be expected from the new leadership? Anything, as we've all been told, is better than nothing.
I sense a grappling with politics and current events in your recent work my friend. Then you drift back to love poems. It takes will to know everything...but it takes skill to write about it..
great as usual.. dana
Posted 8 Years Ago
8 Years Ago
yes, a grappling for sure...surprise, sadness....yes, anything is better than nothing...he confined .. read moreyes, a grappling for sure...surprise, sadness....yes, anything is better than nothing...he confined so many people...as the Stones sang "under my thumb" and that is the way he preferred.
thank you for your words and sharing your experience...yes, an inhumane place for sure.
Raised during the cold war era...with both a brother and father who were part of the cold war fight...I have a tendency to want to buy into paranoia. I think a president once said, speak softly but carry a big stick...great advice. I would hope that in this day and age we can stay balanced...negotiate without selling our souls. Smile...knowing we hold the point of the spear ready to strike if and when needed. I am a firm believer in giving everyone a chance...every ruler...every president...every religion...every human. Give them a chance to play nice...but if they don't...then the kid gloves come off. Just sayin. LOL Love this piece. Nice job!
Posted 8 Years Ago
8 Years Ago
yes, the kid gloves will definitely come off..love your reply to this piece...thank you, ReedWrite.... read moreyes, the kid gloves will definitely come off..love your reply to this piece...thank you, ReedWrite..
the paranoia is legit, i feel...
and yes, on that quote...Teddy Roosevelt...
thanks for your insightful visit...
i too raised during the cold war era...the beginnings....
Originally from Bronx, NY, I live in Carbondale, Illinois...teach English at a community college and have been writing and publishing poetry since 1970. I am here to read for inspiration from other po.. more..