QUESTION AUTHORITY??!!
August 19, 2006
what the HELL does that mean??!!
QUESTION AUTHORITY??!!
you don’t know
what the fuck you are talking about.
But Dad…
WHAT IF ! – the men who stormed Normandy Beach
QUESTIONED AUTHORITY??!!
or the soldiers who won the fucking West
QUESTIONED AUTHORITY??!!
or the Hitler Youth,
or the Conquistadors,
or the Crusaders,
or the…
“SMACK” the big open hand hit his young face with a single head turning blow.
GO TO YOUR ROOM – MISTER QUESTION AUTHORITY!!!
AND THROW THAT FUCKING BUTTON IN THE GARBAGE NOW!!!
qazse 
August 20, 2006 at 3:17 pm
Looks like you’re gonna need a bigger button.
August 20, 2006 at 4:06 pm
most are unaware
which questions are the right ones
and of whom to ask
August 27, 2006 at 9:55 pm
Father Baldwin, if I can speak casually, this is one of the greatest works of art I’ve ever read.
The way I read it, it started at a slower pace, and right at the last stanza it came to me.
And I don’t like to comment much, because I usually don’t have much to say, but I’ve beenr eading this everyday since the day you posted it, and it still gives me the same emotional surge it did the first time I read it.
Kudos,
Chris V.
August 27, 2006 at 10:29 pm
Thank you all for commenting!
My dad was not this dad in the poem. My dad was a peaceful guy who was also a combat veteran. He supported the peace movement and encouraged discussion, especially over a beer or two. At least that is how I remember him.
However, there were many in my age group who took alot of shit from their parents over the whole war and authority issue. This poem is an homage to all those unheralded skirmishes that happen each day in the climb upward…
PS “Father Baldwin” is not a formal title. My son’s friends call me that instead of “Mister”. I am flattered and consider it an honor. My son and I are blessed with good friends like Chris V.
Chris, what is it that you are connecting with in the poem?
August 30, 2006 at 1:40 pm
I guess I am connecting with the fact that the son is just trying to be reasonable and have a real conversation, and the father is just using his control to supress the son at the end.
I hope that makes sense…
I also noticed that, althought both the father and son have really great examples of their point of view, the other sees it as not relevant to their side.
It’s like they are arguing about two different things altogether.
It’s harder to put into words I guess, but trust me, it’s great.
August 30, 2006 at 4:30 pm
I think you expressed it well.