Banning books and control.

Control
Is a funny thing.
But no one is laughing.

Control.
We all want it.
We all fight against it.
We bare our teeth, show our fangs, let the sarcasm drip
All to have
Control.

Control.
I could tell
my child
not to read a book, 
not to watch a certain movie,
not to eat too much candy.

But when I turn my back,
My words forgotten
 to me,
They are not forgotten
To her.

To get control,
You have to give it away.

Teach a child
To make responsible decisions even
If they make
mistakes.
And you will get control.

Control.
Is a funny thing.
But no one is laughing.
Not the children.
Not the authors.
Not me.

,

19 Responses to Banning books and control.

  1. kris September 29, 2010 at 11:00 am #

    Nicely said.

  2. Misha September 29, 2010 at 11:42 am #

    This is so true! I love the last stanza. It so beautifully everything I’ve been thinking about banning books and censorship.

    Brava!

    🙂

    • Laura September 29, 2010 at 11:59 am #

      Thanks Guys, There really is so much that can be said about banning books and why people do it and how it affects others. It truly is a massive subject with depths of emotion.

  3. Stina Lindenblatt September 29, 2010 at 1:26 pm #

    I love this. Very nicely put.

    Have the banner ever realized that they actually increase the sales of these banned books because people are curious to see why they’re banned? Same deal with when the Catholic church frowns on a movie. Instant box office hit. 😉

  4. Laura Marcella September 29, 2010 at 2:10 pm #

    “To get control, you have to give it away.” So true. Wonderful post, Laura!

  5. Carole Anne Carr September 29, 2010 at 2:11 pm #

    So hard always to get the balance right.

  6. Laura September 29, 2010 at 2:24 pm #

    STina – If they realized that they’d stop banning the books!

    Laura – I learn about giving up control in all areas of my life, esp. parenting!

    Carole – Good way to put. Balance.

  7. Creepy Query Girl September 29, 2010 at 3:33 pm #

    I honestly just said ‘Oooooh, that’s good’ out loud. Intense, direct, and well said! Loved it!

  8. Ansha Kotyk September 29, 2010 at 4:09 pm #

    Fitting at this moment for me. Trying to get my daughter to dress for school. Challenge.

  9. erin September 29, 2010 at 4:37 pm #

    ooooh… this is deep!! Thanks Laura!

  10. Susan R. Mills September 29, 2010 at 4:44 pm #

    Wonderful! I especially like the last stanza.

  11. Paul September 29, 2010 at 5:22 pm #

    I really like your poem, Laura!!
    And it’s true, we have to let kids make decisions. We have to let them develop decision making skills. And being controlling isn’t a great role model for them.

    • Laura September 29, 2010 at 5:33 pm #

      Thanks everyone, I’m off to visit your blogs!

  12. Catherine A. Winn September 29, 2010 at 10:25 pm #

    Loved it 🙂 because it is so very true!

  13. Julie Musil September 30, 2010 at 12:10 am #

    One word: WOW!

  14. Tina Lee September 30, 2010 at 4:30 pm #

    Good point!

  15. Terri Tffany September 30, 2010 at 6:44 pm #

    Hello! Thank you so much for visiting my blog yesterday. Your blog is so crips and clear:) I spun back to some older posts and enjoyed what you write:)) Will be back.

  16. Karen Strong September 30, 2010 at 11:44 pm #

    I like it! Especially the last stanza.

  17. Christie Wild October 2, 2010 at 5:15 am #

    So true. It’s hard to teach your children. It’s even harder to watch them make mistakes. But that’s how we best learn. Great poem!

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