Nata Silina at Supercoloring.com
“I expect loyalty,” he stated.
A silence followed.
Shock or perhaps because
There was
No honorable way to respond.
“I need loyalty,” he repeated
With the implication clear:
You bend the knee
Or you are gone,
Swear fealty to the man
Or you’re a traitor
And an enemy to be scorned.
“You will always get honesty from me,”
Came the measured return.
“That’s what I want,” twisted the retort,
“An honest loyalty.”
As if there was such thing
As honest loyalty
To one who deemed acceptable
Only what offers
Praise and supplication,
And allows no room
For truth,
Let alone for the calling out of
The Emperor’s bare bottom
Of the barrel
Governing
Or his disregard for honor
As he dons repeated sets of
Non-existent,
Yet much lauded by him,
‘New Clothes.’
Note: As it happens, the book I’m reading and which was right by my elbow as I read the prompt … is “The Mueller Report” (w/ commentary by the Washington Post; page 296 of the book, page 35 of volume II in the report). … And the rest, well, is history. And what will be …? We shall yet see.
For Linda Gill’s SoCS: open book, point, write
Na'ama Yehuda 
It had to be said.
Very well said
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Thank you. I realize some might not share my views–and this is their prerogative–but I this was where my writing went, and reflects my views.
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Sometimes the words just take hold, give voice to your feelings and lead you on….Which is where all true writing starts.
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Yep. I agree. And … sometimes it is important to let one’s voice be heard, whether one’s views aren’t shared by all and are even opposed to by some … For having a voice if a privilege many in the world still fight for. It is something I cherish and am well aware of the importance of exercising.
THANKS!
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That’s why we should remember those who died in wars for us, and never, ever take what we have for granted.
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Exactly. And those who fought (and didn’t die but lost a piece of their soul in war, for war ALWAYS exacts a price) and those who waited at home and collected the pieces (literally and otherwise) of those who fought and returned, or did not return, or returned forever changed.
And … why we should remember those who fought non-violent wars – in protests, in resistance, in speaking up even when there was a cost for them to have a voice.
Freedom is not to be taken for granted. For it is not guaranteed unless we work constantly to ensure it remains. There are always those who want to rollback freedoms to where only the few have them.
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Well said Na’ama!
We are in a time when Not Voting only serves those who chip away at that freedom.
Sometimes you have to grit your teeth and vote for the least worst alternative.
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Probably more times than not, though hopefully one can find some core integrity to relate to in a person they vote for. Rhetoric can be veneer (as we well know from current realities…) and I’d far easier believe a person for how they ACT and BEHAVE and their respect (or lack thereof) toward others, than I’d listen to the words they say (especially if they are proven a prone to lying). So … yeah, least worst alternative is often where it is, though I think that in this case the current reality is so extremely WORSE that many alternatives are already an improvement …
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I agree with you all the way.
Never take anything in politics for granted and never, ever fall into believing voting doesn’t make any difference.
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Me? Never ever! I think that EVERY vote counts, no matter where you are, no matter if people say that it won’t matter. Every single vote makes a difference. Civil participation makes a difference. It is a right and a privilege and a duty. 🙂 Glad we agree!
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Yea voters 🌾 💐 🌷 🌹 🥀 🌺 🌸 🌼 🌻 🌞 !
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🙂 Especially STUBBORN ones … as in, insisting to get their part done! 🙂
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😃 👍
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Excellent! Thank you for your on-point writing.
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Thank you … this was where the prompt took me … 🙂
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Excellent, Na’ama!
So very well said.
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Thank you, Dale. This was, as those SoCS go, a stream of consciousness thing … So polished it is not, but reflecting of my association it sure is … 😉
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Well, wasn’t that timely! Nicely done.
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Well, I did follow the instructions … and this was the book by my elbow … So ….
Yes, timely. I wish it weren’t …
Thanks, Laura!!!
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