π¦
How free are we to think whate’er we wish?
How free are we to speak our every thought?
Are these two luxuries the self-same dish?
Is supping freely not with danger fraught?
What room be there for decent human mores,
When selfishness decries the common cause,
And harbingers of ill constraint deplores?
Concern for others’ needs, no time to pause!
Licentious exercise of thought and speech
Imperils liberties and harmony,
Goodwill from our relationships shall leach,
Exposing vulnerable to villainy.
Freedom to think and then to speak your mind,
Precludes not obligation to be kind!
Β©Meanderings 2017
π¦
What an extraordinary photograph of the beautiful bee. Speak honestly but don’t hurt others with words…..lovely Sunday sonnet – Thank you Janet xx
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Thanks Janet! If only….. π Hugs!
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You are always most welcome. I so enjoy reading your poems and your photographs is growing in leaps and bounds. Have a beautiful day. xx
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Thanks, Janet! Great pleasure. Hugs!
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A busy bee, and we will not expand on the words. It is a great photograph.
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Thanks Peter. π
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http;//petesnewwriteplace.blogspot.co.nz Have a look some time.
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Yeah. I do pop in occasionally… π
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http://petesnewwriteplace.blogspot.co.nz/2017/10/the-irish-lads-and-aussie-taxidriver.html
Try this instead.
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Excellent Peter…..Clever Aussies…. π Hugs!
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Take care up there mate.
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Thanks Peter….Will try! π
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I couldn’t agree more. Once again your sonnet reminds me of Milton: perhaps a conscious ‘homage’ on your part?
‘That bawl for freedom in their senseless mood,
And still revolt when truth would set them free.
Licence they mean when they cry liberty;
For who loves that, must first be wise and good. ‘ (Sonnet 12)
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Thanks, Gill. Only remembered ‘vaguely’ this one of Milton after I had written my one. Honoured to remind you of Milton. Love his poetry! Hugs!
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Yes, I find some of these enduring phrases are so much part of my subconscious that they emerge quite automatically!
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Happens to me as well… π Hugs!
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I absolutely love the picture of the bee … he looks as if he has tiny sunglasses on! And your sonnet is so very relevant in our world today. With freedoms and rights ought to come responsibilities, but too often we forget that we can state our opinion, speak freely, and yet at the same time maintain civility.
Hugs!!! β€
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Indeed! Too many people ask not for ‘Freedom’ but for unrestricted ‘Licence’.. π
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What a fantastic poem and image! How well they sit together.xxx
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Thanks D! Much appreciated! Hugs!
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Actually I have WordPress back online and have begun posting.
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Excellent! Look forward to reading. Do I have to ‘re-follow’? π
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