A couple of weeks ago the Saturday poetics prompt at dVerse Poets Pub was to write about rebellion. I missed the window for writing and posting that poem in response to the prompt, but still the rebel in me had something to say and that little voice would not go away. So for Open Link Night today I wrote my rebellious poem and am offering it up in the pub today.
But first a quick note about the use of the word “tolerate” in the third stanza. Before you start lambasting me in the comments for not wanting to be tolerant of other religious beliefs, please read this article in which I address the three levels of tolerance. It is the third level of absolute tolerance that I am referring to in this poem.
I Am a Rebel
What was once rebellion
has now become the norm
Liberal thoughts
we are expected
to emulate
Religious beliefs
we are expected
to tolerate
Behavioral norms
we are expected
to celebrate
Even if we disagree
If we raise our voice
calling to be heard
we are rebels
I am a rebel
Like any good rebel
I refuse to emulate
I refuse to tolerate
I refuse to celebrate
What I do not believe to be true