I defy anyone to prevent me
from speaking my mind

Too many have tried to cause
interference and
heartache and
discord

among GOOD people,
here on the Den, and elsewhere.

Too many have cast false aspersions
and made false innuendo;
too many have feigned friendship,
only when it was convenient,
and only for some grand
behind-the-scenes scheme.

I gave up being afraid a long time ago.

I may find myself feeling
sympathetic and empathic
toward those who simply crave attention
at the expense of others...

BUT...
I will not be dragged into their
mire and muck,
to live like them, in shallow pretense,
and vicariously through others,
whom they desire to control and contort.

Fear died, with my sister, Peggy, in 1984.
She taught me that life is too short,
and true friendships too valuable,
to allow fear to prevent us from
grabbing onto those things; fear be damned!

She also taught me that we choose our friends;
therefore, we should choose wisely;
and we should NEVER let anyone dictate
who our friends should be!

Long may fear remain dead!

May we, the collective poetic voice,
ALWAYS speak our truths without fear,
without manipulation,
and with brutal honesty.

Here's to the death of fear!

Copyright (c) 2004 Jeff Mason