deepundergroundpoetry.com
Try A Little Bit Of Real Respect
My Respect is not for all
Never has been, never will be
Respect is not automatically given
Respect automatically given is hollow
Automatic respect for any person,
Creed, race, religion, gender, intellect
I cannot and won't give as a prize
Like a shallow game show offering
Respect must be earned
Based on tolerance and behaviour
Including the words, one speaks
The actions one takes
The love that one shows
Their understanding
Their compassion
Their understanding
Their empathy
And above all
A person will only get my respect
If they earn it by being respectful
For instance, some say you should respect
All religions, all Ideologies, all creeds
And denominations but I have zero respect
For racists, homophobes, rapists, paedophiles,
Hatemongers of any kind, Liars, cheats,
Narcissists, bullies who fly under the radar,
Gold-diggers, and most men
The only way respect is given to these
Results from genuine change, which I alone measure
Some may ask 'Who am I to judge?'
I am a sovereign human being
I owe no allegiance to any group
I pick and choose my friends and family
With me sadly you only get one chance
Respecting and conversing with toxic people
For me is no longer on the table
Why put up with those that cause you suffering
I am finalising cutting like a surgeon
Cutting out these people who are deserving
Of my contempt that need to be removed
They can wallow in a swamp of hatred
I will only stand on firm ground
I have a much longer list
Of those I respect
Longer than those I don't
Making friends disregarding
Others pre-warnings
I decide for myself
My respect is precious
I can’t just give it to anyone
And neither should you
Published 5th Dec 2019
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
Anonymous
- Edited 4th Jun 2022 2:45am
6th Dec 2019 1:11am
<< post removed >>
9th Dec 2019 11:47pm
thank you so much Ethan your comments mean so much to me more because I have great respect for you and your poetry :-)))))))))))))
6th Dec 2019 5:27pm
9th Dec 2019 11:48pm
thank you daniel, some time you have to release the Kracken
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8th Dec 2019 7:55pm
I'd love to super-size this and put on billboards across this country. Always Respect dear poet
9th Dec 2019 11:50pm
17th Dec 2019 7:08am
You gave respect to start with before making the judgement that they are not worthy of your respect. Respect is gained and lost never earned. Respect is where we start at. We gain more respect or lose it but not always all of it. Respect freely given up front is not hallow my friend. It is genuine and necessary in order to give them a chance because we do not know what they have been through. We give them the respect to have a chance to gain it fully or lose it. Without a measure of initial mutual respect we are disrespectful to start with.
Enough philosophy of respect. This is still a great piece and I respect your point of view and right to have it. Did you intend to put "Their understanding," twice? I also don't understand their understanding in this context. Understanding of what is the question that came to mind. Understanding seems subject based rather than an actual thing we can do. Thousands of books have been written trying to help us all develope ways to help us understand things around us and obviously we are not all in agreement of said underdtanding. :-)
I like this though. Why? It made me think.
Thank you.
Enough philosophy of respect. This is still a great piece and I respect your point of view and right to have it. Did you intend to put "Their understanding," twice? I also don't understand their understanding in this context. Understanding of what is the question that came to mind. Understanding seems subject based rather than an actual thing we can do. Thousands of books have been written trying to help us all develope ways to help us understand things around us and obviously we are not all in agreement of said underdtanding. :-)
I like this though. Why? It made me think.
Thank you.
18th Dec 2019 2:02am
We may have to agree to disagree and that's perfectly fine.
This piece was written by a 59 year old man who has trusted and started with respect only to be shafted - this poem is about self protection and the lack of respect I have received. So as a personal rule I do not start with respect I observe interactions and a persons honesty and I do judge people deserving of respect or not based on my personal observations. I maybe have become cynical but for good reasons. This is my world and the way it has to be.
if the poem made you think then it has done its work whether you agree with its sentiments or not. I respect you for expressing your honest opinions - thank you :-))))))))))))
This piece was written by a 59 year old man who has trusted and started with respect only to be shafted - this poem is about self protection and the lack of respect I have received. So as a personal rule I do not start with respect I observe interactions and a persons honesty and I do judge people deserving of respect or not based on my personal observations. I maybe have become cynical but for good reasons. This is my world and the way it has to be.
if the poem made you think then it has done its work whether you agree with its sentiments or not. I respect you for expressing your honest opinions - thank you :-))))))))))))
