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  The Poetry Society of Virginia: Jack Trammell







What Gives Me The Right

jack trammell


What gives me the right? to tell you there should be hope,
What gives me the right? to say that everything’s okay,
What gives me the right? to believe in the impossible,
What gives me the right? to defy all of the long odds.

          Terrorists, disease,racism
               Television ads and cable news sound bites,
          Hatred, genocide,uncertainty
               Hollywood heroes and east coast money.

What gives you the right? to tell me I can’t make it,
What gives you the right? to kill and act so innocent,
What gives you the right? to defy the very will of humanity,
What gives you the right? to call me names and curse me.

          Famine, coup d’etat,death penalty
               Rent the video or go to the web site,
          Murder, warfare,terrorists
               Hollywood money and shark attacks.

What gives me the right?

          I’ll tell you
                   What gives me
                            the right
(damn you)

          I’m still ALIVE,
                   That’s what gives me the right.

###

Check out my latest books at BN.com-
Search for “Jack Trammell” and click on
“Gray” or “Return to Treasure Island.”







The Poetry Society of Virginia

Homepage  |  Meeting Saturday Sept. 11, 2010  |  Winners 2010 Adult Poetry Contest  |  Winners 2010 Student Poetry Contest  |  Books for Holiday Gifts  |  Four Virginia Poets Laureate, Book & DVD  |  Attack on America: Poems  |  Membership Information & Application  |  2010-2011 Officers and Bylaws  |  Newsletters for 2010  |  Newsletters for 2009  |  Newsletters for 2006-2008  |  Newsletters for 2003-2005  |  2009 Adult Contest Winners  |  2009 Student Contest Winners  |  2008 Contest Awards  |  2008 Student Contest Awards  |  2008 Student Contest Winning Poems  |  2007 Contest Awards  |  2007 Student Contest Awards  |  2007 Winning Poems of Students  |  Previous Years' Contest Results  |  Meet Virginia's Poets  |  Poetry-in-the-Schools Program  |  The Craft of Poetry  |  Poetry Readings  |  Poetry Workshops and Conferences  |  Links  |  Member Publications and Web Sites  |  Cup Contest Winners  |  Round Robin Poems