Over at Weekly Prompts, the Wednesday Challenge is the word: Identity … To visit their fabulous site, please click on >> Here … My poem below is an appropriate and poignant response to the Prompt
A Wounded Identity Badge
I am lying here on brown dirt
My human blood is trickling
From a new open-cut wound
Into this ancient and sacred ground
I have been shot!
Straight through my “Yes” vote badge
By a white man’s racist outburst
His rant was full of arrogance and hatred
My badge is damaged but not destroyed
My heart is bruised but not broken
I will steadfastly, forever vote “Yes”
Until eyes hear the sound of human decency
Ivor Steven (c) October 2023

Such a touching poem Ivor
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Thank you very much Sadje 😊🌏😍
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You’re most welcome
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Packs a punch – an issue that continues to be a problem worldwide
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Thanks VJ … and sadly your words are too true 😞🌏
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Welcome, Ivor
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Yes!
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Yes… we need a positive outcome 🌏😊
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Your writing is a positive outcome, Ivor
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Thank you David
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I voted YES in a sea of ugly NO-bodies
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There seems to be a lot of ugly ones 🥲🌏
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Boom- hits the heart
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The truth hurts
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Ivor, I believe your email has been hacked. You may want to check with your contacts.
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Thank you Annette … Yes … my security system is down while my computer is being repaired … I’m the hackers are in !!
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Vote suppression is dehumanizing, and regrettable. It is still a widespread problem in the US. We have a lot of “gerrymandering” and some other similar problems. A very well-written poem, Ivor! ❤
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Thank you Cheryl … and you wouldn’t believe it… I faced another outburst today about my “badge” … 🥲🌏😊
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Hang in there, Ivor! ❤
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Thanks … a bit disturbing at the time
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Well done to you, Ivor. I’m proud of your stance.
As I understand it, those who vote YES lose nothing, yet some people still object to human decency.
My friend Maureen Helen wrote this on her blog. Perhaps it might help your readers from other countries understand a little more about Australia.
A body (the Voice) will be established. The Voice will consist of representatives of First Nations people across the country.
The Voice has an advisory role only. It cannot make or block laws, manage programs or distribute funding. It can simply advise the executive government, including ministers and departments that make policies.
The advice will involve only those policies, programs and laws which impact First Nations people.
I’m proud of you, Ivor. 😊👏🤗
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Thank you very much Sue …? I’m not sure how the vote is going to go …? It’s always hard to change the constitution … and there is a lot of racist people in Australia…. again today I faced another such outburst for wearing my “badge “ …
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I’m sorry you had to experience that. At least you can hold your head up high; they, on the hand, should hang their heads in shame.
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Picking on a 72 year old wasn’t very brave 😊🌏😉
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No it wasn’t brave, it was another example of cowardice. 🙂
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Thanks Sue 😊🤗
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