“The Bonfire” published at Chewers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry

I’d like to announce that my poem “The Bonfire” has been published at Chewers & Masticadores. My sincere thanks goes to Nolcha Fox and her team for publishing this poem. It’s always such an honor to be included at Chewers & Masticadores and I’m deeply humbled. Thanks so much, Nolcha!

“The Bonfire”

“in our exuberance to burn the words
Bradbury sagely nods and Orwell sighs
as shock-troopers corral the motley herds
and churlish masses watch with sullen eyes

bonfires glow red in every city square
eight thousand million names recited there
black smoke and fetid fumes assault the air
as filthy faces flicker in the glare…”

I’d be pleased if you’d read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, be sure to follow and subscribe to Chewers & Masticadores. It’s a wonderful place for those who love writing.

(Author’s note: This poem is inspired by the recent rash of censorship being pushed by the republican party here in America, where books are being banned and even burned as right-wing radicals promote fear, lies and hatred aimed at people of color and marginalized groups. Also, in many places across the globe, freedom of speech is under siege as authoritarian regimes crack down on those who speak truth and expose their evil deeds. As writers, we cannot allow this to happen. We have voices; we must use them to ensure all people are free to speak their minds.)

32 thoughts on ““The Bonfire” published at Chewers & Masticadores”

    1. Thanks, David. I hope we can all be as courageous as this old woman should we find ourselves in the same situation. Our voices matter, and those who strive to silence us must never prevail. Thanks as always for your support and kindness, good sir! 🙂

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  4. This poem was moving, Mike, frightening and so visceral. Sadly, I can see this happening everyday in a country that should know better. Voices are powerful and controlling words is the ultimate in authoritarianism. And the rhyme served the story beautifully, giving it and epic feel. Well done, my friend. ❤

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    1. Thanks, Diana. It really is a surreal moment in this nation’s history. This form of censorship is so insidious and malignant. One group that really worries me is Moms for Liberty, which is labeled a hate group by Southern Poverty Law Center, and rightfully so. Just one of many groups pushing an authoritarian anti-democracy censorship agenda right now. It feels as though this country is on a razor’s edge at the moment, and it’s anyone’s guess what may happen. I hope for the best. Our voices matter.

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    2. I know, right? One word that has been ruined for me is “patriot.” I live in a small town (around 8,800 population) in a very rural, very red area, and there’s even a hate group here called Montezuma Patriots (heavily armed, racist, antagonistic, etc.). It’s a surreal time to be alive, that’s for sure.

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    1. Kindest thanks, Peggy. Your words of support are invaluable to me. I’m in a bit of a funk lately, staying silent, but hopefully I can return to regular posting soon. I miss it, and I miss all of you wonderful people here on WordPress. Thanks again for being so kind. I appreciate it. 🙂

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  7. Congrats from here, too! Wonderful composing and so important an addressing. America seems to have appropriated the autocrats’ robes and is thus less a beacon every day. There’s still room for hope that we the people will remember our real role; writers and poets like you will remind us. 🌹

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    1. Thanks so much, and I agree with you. It’s a scary situation, and I’m honestly worried that things may not right themselves this time. We must have hope, but sometimes hope seems onion-skin thin and just beyond reach. We’ve got to awaken ourselves from this insidious malaise and “remember our real role,” as you put it. I appreciate your comments and support so much, my friend. 🙂

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  8. Mike, it’s hard to believe that with all our histories, the running of the world today seems to be going backwards. We aimed for good governance by decent leaders but just look at them today, this new elite: ignorant & selfish! Your poem is powerful stuff, hard to ignore! 🙋‍♂️

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    1. Thank you for your kind and impactful words, Ashley, and I agree with you. The whole concept of banning and burning books seems so antiquated, like something from centuries past. To see it happening right this moment under the guise of such “innocent-sounding” radical groups as Moms for Liberty makes my skin crawl. If you control the words, you control the people, and that’s what censorship is all about. I hope we can rid this world of this authoritarian virus soon. Our voices matter. Thanks again for your insightful comment, my friend;

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