KICK THAT HABIT (poem) by Bill Brent on AuthorsDen

KICK THAT HABIT
by Bill Brent → (All Poetry by Bill Brent)
Rated "PG" by the Author.

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This is from my upcoming chapbook titled GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT (email verbose AT comcast.net for details). Actually, these are lyrics to a protest song I am writing in the heavily syncopated Pop - Soul style of the early 1970s. Think Temptations, O'Jays, Marvin Gaye, Isley Bros, Sly Stone, TSOP, et al.
Don’t need no complications Don’t need no quick solution Don’t need no science fiction politicians with position Don’t need no click-petition quick magicians with no friction Kick that habit in the ass Don’t turn the other cheek and whisper, “Soon, this too shall pass” No lame administrations No corporate prostitution Don’t need no unintended gone-and-spent-it cannot-mend-it No oily, still-unended, terror-tended, strip-and-bend-it Kick that habit from the room Don’t sit on it and think that you’re exempted from the doom The people of the world are pissed with bullshit men who just won’t quit We’re sick of spending all our time with promises on paper and standing in a line Kick that habit out the door Just draw the line, resign from resignation evermore Don’t drown our Declaration Don’t burn our Constitution No tricked-out so-called Justice who is only gonna bust us Nor feel-good elementary documentary by the Lefty Kick that habit off the street Nobody’s gonna save you ’cause you saw it from your movie seat Don’t drown us in your Zen, born-again, murder men What’s here and now is you, leading to, something new And pretty words cannot, heaven help us, from this spot The bodies may be hidden, but they must not be forgot Kick that habit off the Hill Oblivious and frivolous and all dressed up to kill Terror is in control But don’t you let him claim your mortal soul

Reviewed by Billy Cook

Reviewed on May 3, 2006

The best apect of "KICK THAT HABIT" is that it's an outright call to attention. Not a lot has been said lately about how people on the left and the right (in the US at least) are observing the greater, public world instead of participating. It speaks to me not just of nasty political red vs. blue games, but the whole idea that "we can get tickets to see "Fahrenheit 911" and that will make a difference" mentality. the poem is a call for awarness and action instead of a rant against this side or that side, justice or injustice, political or economic blame game, etc. I fully agree with the sentiment here-- it empowers the individual.
I would like to hear it performed, though. I'm hearing more Eminem or Public Enemy when I read it, rather than the O'Jays or Temptaions.... It would be great if authors had the option here to also include a voice recording for some of their poems that readers could listen to....

Reviewed by Suzie Palmer

Reviewed on October 8, 2005

Dear Bill ... this is a powerful poem, protest song! 'KICK THAT HABIT' is a good title, as is 'Give up without a fight'! ... You bring up very important points regarding this 'age of agony' we are now living in ... We need to remember 'Don’t turn the other cheek and whisper, “Soon, this too shall pass”' ... If we truly care, action must be now! Hats off to you for speaking up! 'But don’t you let him claim your mortal soul'! Well spoken Bill!
We are the masters of our mind, of the moment, and of our creation ... If we realize the tremendous power we have within, changes for the good will occur on the outside! We need to be empowered ... and thankfully, it seems that Love is the only answer!!
Love Suzie xox :-)