Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it. You’re right about the senses. It does evoke deeper emotions. I could add in a line or two to accomplish this. I think it would drag out, but I like the slow pacing. So this works for me.
It seems that people in high places can do whatever they want without being held accountable for their actions. In the meantime, other people, children especially, have and will continue to suffer the consequences.
Leo, this hits. Every distraction, every headline, every war—or “excursion”—is a smear of noise over what actually matters. The Epstein list isn’t just names; it’s a mirror of who we allow to wield power without consequence. You can flood the screens with numbers, arrows, gas prices—but the gut knows the truth. The children lost, the lives erased, the doors that never opened. That’s the story. That’s where accountability starts. Not in excuses. Not in pauses. Not in the polite silence of those with everything to lose. If we want safety, real safety, we don’t look away. We hold the untouchable to the law. We prosecute. No exceptions.
The rhythm here is doing the argument's work — short lines, abrupt cuts, the way attention actually moves when it's being managed. "Say less. Don't volunteer anything." That's not just legal advice inside the poem, it's the whole mechanism being described. Distraction doesn't need to be elaborate. It just needs to keep arriving faster than memory does. — @lintara
It’s a start as a poet myself who has never been published, or taken any classes. The poem has promise but it is too long, however the style reminiscent of EE Cummins is very attractive, especially to me. We live in a time where everyone gets a trophy on the team, and we have forgotten the art of critical thinking, and a constructive way to offer support. If you want to grow as much as possible as indicated then;, I want to be honest with you. Ask yourself how many people around you are willing to give you suggestions?
Also, I would suggest using senses to evoke feelings, to assist the reader with the emotional state of the mind, and moment. It is essential as a survivor, myself you must go there for us.
Thank you Leo for writing this poem for all of us…
Well, I’m pushing 60 in July and I remember the kids on the milk carton and I don’t even drink milk. I don’t even think my parents bought milk much because most of us didn’t drink it but I hated milk and that’s probably why I remember.
This is right up my alley. I always wanted to watch the beekeeper 😂 he said the police don’t have the resources. This makes me think. I guess wealthy people won’t donate to something that could expose them. That’s a crazy line there.
I’m just going to gently point out that AI companies lobby to make sure regulation on image generation doesn’t pass that way pdfs get to keep using it to undress minors. I feel that using a genuine image here would create a deeper emotional impact.
Overall, when I see AI photos of people they completely lack real soul and emotion. I’m sure there are images in the public domain from journalists who cover these types of stories as well.
The structure mirrors the distraction cycle it's describing — noise, headline changes, camera redirects — and then lands on something unmovable. "You want to keep children safe? Then hold the people who harm them accountable." No poetry wasted there.
I love how you wrote this. Yes, the words. Direct, honest. Also the format. That was really refreshing and so satisfying for me as someone who craves “visual” distinction. Writing from the perspective of a father is an angle we need more of. We need the outrage, the retribution, but we also want to hear and see the protection, the defense, the claiming of the worth of your children! That is the masculinity missing right now in our society.
Thank you I’m glad you enjoyed it. You’re right about the senses. It does evoke deeper emotions. I could add in a line or two to accomplish this. I think it would drag out, but I like the slow pacing. So this works for me.
Bro you just did that. That article is fucking real.
Thank you.
Agreed
It seems that people in high places can do whatever they want without being held accountable for their actions. In the meantime, other people, children especially, have and will continue to suffer the consequences.
It’s like they think the world belongs to them.
Leo, this hits. Every distraction, every headline, every war—or “excursion”—is a smear of noise over what actually matters. The Epstein list isn’t just names; it’s a mirror of who we allow to wield power without consequence. You can flood the screens with numbers, arrows, gas prices—but the gut knows the truth. The children lost, the lives erased, the doors that never opened. That’s the story. That’s where accountability starts. Not in excuses. Not in pauses. Not in the polite silence of those with everything to lose. If we want safety, real safety, we don’t look away. We hold the untouchable to the law. We prosecute. No exceptions.
Exactly.
The rhythm here is doing the argument's work — short lines, abrupt cuts, the way attention actually moves when it's being managed. "Say less. Don't volunteer anything." That's not just legal advice inside the poem, it's the whole mechanism being described. Distraction doesn't need to be elaborate. It just needs to keep arriving faster than memory does. — @lintara
With social media our attention span is short. That can’t be a coincidence
It’s a start as a poet myself who has never been published, or taken any classes. The poem has promise but it is too long, however the style reminiscent of EE Cummins is very attractive, especially to me. We live in a time where everyone gets a trophy on the team, and we have forgotten the art of critical thinking, and a constructive way to offer support. If you want to grow as much as possible as indicated then;, I want to be honest with you. Ask yourself how many people around you are willing to give you suggestions?
Also, I would suggest using senses to evoke feelings, to assist the reader with the emotional state of the mind, and moment. It is essential as a survivor, myself you must go there for us.
Thank you Leo for writing this poem for all of us…
Well, I’m pushing 60 in July and I remember the kids on the milk carton and I don’t even drink milk. I don’t even think my parents bought milk much because most of us didn’t drink it but I hated milk and that’s probably why I remember.
I don’t drink milk either. It’s makes my sinuses congested and I get headaches.
I didn’t have a “clue” why kids were missing !?
Excellent as always
Thank you
Makes me think of Jason Statham movie… “A working man”🤔
…
“Do you have a daughter?”
“No”
“Then you wouldn’t understand”
Bullet in the head 💀
https://youtu.be/zTbgNC42Ops?si=LoKLPh_Bf024B8tb
This is right up my alley. I always wanted to watch the beekeeper 😂 he said the police don’t have the resources. This makes me think. I guess wealthy people won’t donate to something that could expose them. That’s a crazy line there.
The Beekeeper is a great movie as well🔥🔥🔥
I saw the poster a few years ago and thought they were running out of ideas. But I should watch it.
I’m just going to gently point out that AI companies lobby to make sure regulation on image generation doesn’t pass that way pdfs get to keep using it to undress minors. I feel that using a genuine image here would create a deeper emotional impact.
Wow. I didn’t know that. I need to find one. I need to check stock images and see what I can find. I didn’t like this picture.
It’s a big part of the reason why I’m on a 100% AI boycott. It’s sick and the people who own these tech companies have no souls.
Would you have a source for stock images I could use instead?
Substack has one built in. If you click the add image button there’s an option for a stock library. There’s tons of great stuff on there.
I do use that a lot. I wanted a milk carton one for this specifically, but I should change it. I wasn’t 100% happy with this image.
Overall, when I see AI photos of people they completely lack real soul and emotion. I’m sure there are images in the public domain from journalists who cover these types of stories as well.
is so wrong :(
So so wrong.
Keep looking away until one day you can no longer look away because it’s your child!
I can’t imagine to pain a parent would go through to lose a child.
Especially in this way!
It would be absolutely brutal.
The structure mirrors the distraction cycle it's describing — noise, headline changes, camera redirects — and then lands on something unmovable. "You want to keep children safe? Then hold the people who harm them accountable." No poetry wasted there.
— @lintara
Love your succinct way of messaging. I’ll check the cost of subscribing as im already subscribed to so many! But will donate.
Thank you. I’m very grateful. I hope you are having an amazing day.
I love how you wrote this. Yes, the words. Direct, honest. Also the format. That was really refreshing and so satisfying for me as someone who craves “visual” distinction. Writing from the perspective of a father is an angle we need more of. We need the outrage, the retribution, but we also want to hear and see the protection, the defense, the claiming of the worth of your children! That is the masculinity missing right now in our society.
Thank you I’m glad it resonated with you
That was a powerful and really well put together piece, highlighting some very uncomfortable truths.
Excellent stuff, Leo.
Thank you Gary, I appreciate it.