When cloistered monks did first begin to read
they spoke each word out loud in droning voice,
at first not understanding that this deed
could sound inside the head alone. When words
became available to all, some feared their lure
as preachers, levellers, reformers, all
cried out for rights for women, slaves, the poor
and books were burnt as many heard their call.
Today, with Facebook, Twitter and the like
it’s easy just to read the headlines, fail
to think. Then, call for murder — strike
a blow in text. The venom’s meant to hurt:
common decency and care are what we’re flouting.
The world’s a poorer place with silent shouting.
Tonnie Richmond
Tonnie Richmond lives in Leeds and loves Orkney and archaeology. She has had poems published by The Storms, Black Nore, Up!, Dreamcatcher, Dawntreader and others and in various anthologies. Her first pamphlet, Rear-view Mirror, was published Yaffle’s Nest in November 2023.
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