For the past few days I had been struggling to find the words to express what we are going through as a nation. In less than 3 months we have had elections, nullified them, another election, boycott of elections, police brutality, protests, demonstrations, a nation divided, economic slow down and uncertainties. It was difficult to write and wished I could find just one word…and then I did. In fact I found several one words and made poems using letters derived from just one word. I was amazed at how much I could convey even with the restricted structure.
Inaction
Inaction (is)
In Action
Act (my)
Nation
***
Silent
Silent
Lent
Lies
Si(gh)
***
Doublespeak
doublespeak
bleak
do speak
lead
***
Indistinguishable
indistinguishable
anguish
sting
gun
unstable
disable
bled
bled
bled
dead….
….distant
***
Democracy
Democracy: the Demo version has expired
install now the Mockery
***
These tweets tell a story…
***
Featured Image Credit: @BrianInganga
SONYA KASSAM 
Hi Sonya. I was wondering if I could reprint this article as a guest post for The Rage Against the Machine series?
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Thank you Sreejit. I would love to see it feature in the Rage series.
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Awesome!
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I really like the focus on single words. How powerful this feels. A rap like rhythm, punctuated, precise, can be felt in the body.
I feel moved by the images and the stories I read in them.
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That is beautifully described. Thank you. Yes, the images and stories are powerful.
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Also, you have a section called Wordless Wednesday, maybe you could have another one called One Word day? :)
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There was a quote I can’t quite remember, about how we never realize when history is being made around us and how it’s chaotic and confusing, and I think that applies here. Whatever the case, I have a feeling we’ll come out the good end of all this.
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Hi Imran,
Thanks for your thoughts. Yes history is indeed being made around us. I wrote something to that effect here https://followyourshadow.me/2017/08/14/a-history-erased/
I have a good feeling too…let’s hope :)
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Good Job, Sonya. :)
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Thanks for reading Ranu :)
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Dear Sonya,
This is a very creative use of just one word to describe such a heavy topic.
All good wishes,
robert
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I’m glad you saw that although the topic is heavy, just one word or a tiny effort can make an impact.
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Marvellous composition. Sorry to know about the upheavals the nation is going tbrough. Hope, the situation will stabilise soon.
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Thank you so much for appreciating, also for your good wishes.
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