Lest History Repeats

Summary

"Lest History Repeats" is a poem that reflects on the theme of resistance from a historical perspective, urging action to prevent oppression and ensure freedom.

Abstract

The poem "Lest History Repeats" by Natalie Frank (Taye Carrol) is a poignant call to action, responding to the prompt of writing about resistance in history. It features a series of voices that plead for intervention against tyranny, appealing to the reader's sense of justice and responsibility. These voices represent the oppressed, whose cries for help underscore the importance of resistance to prevent a future filled with pain and loss of freedom. The poem emphasizes the need to break down barriers, confront the darkness of history, and fight for a world where heartbeats are not silenced by despair. It concludes with an empowering message that it is the reader's turn to carry the torch of resistance, to strike the sickled hammer's blow, and to bring light to all voices, ensuring that history does not repeat itself.

Opinions

The poem conveys a strong opinion that it is the duty of the current generation to resist oppression and prevent history from repeating itself.
It suggests that complacency, especially among the youth, is a significant threat to the continuation of resistance efforts.
The author believes that within each person lies the potential to make a difference and to dispel the darkness of tyranny.
The poem implies that freedom is a fundamental right that is worth fighting for, and that the struggle for freedom is ongoing and requires active participation.
It also reflects the idea that art and poetry can serve as powerful tools for expressing the need for resistance and inspiring change.

In response to the prompt to write on the theme of resistance from a historical perspective.

Source: Pxhere (CC0)

A voice calls out From the darkened way And begs us, “Oust!” Those who make him stay So to not remove From his birth land's strife An invisible barrier

A voice pleads on Though the red runs deep In the waterways And disturbing sleep “You must force them out, lest the pain accrues to prevent true life again”

A voice appeals A last desperate cry “You must help us now lest a blackened sky shutters heartbeats, breathe penetrating hope til it shrivels, dies away”

A voice demands The way darker now Though it’s fading, soft Sweat upon his brow You can hear within Struggle’s raspy voice Only freedom does he want

A voice shouts loud “You must see this truth lest resistance fails in complacent youth who are raised within a locked cage to know nothing other than this path”

It is our turn now The dial curves our way For within our breast Lies the spark to stay Sickled hammer’s blow So no more to fear And bring light to voices all

Natalie Frank (Taye Carrol) has had work featured in Haunted Waters Press, Weirdbook Magazine, Siren’s Call Publications, Lycan Valley Press and Zero Fiction among others. Her poetry has been featured in several anthologies. She is Editor for 1-One-Infinity and One Table, One World and Editor in Chief for Promposity and Mental Gecko. She is also the Managing Editor for Novellas and Serials at LVP Publications.

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Original Poem

Lest History Repeats

In response to the prompt to write on the theme of resistance from a historical perspective.

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