I really like what this says and right now it is time for me and the verandah. I will be back to give better crit. What I read here is full of TRUTH. And exbounded on in reality. I shall come back Race. I am race-to-go now:)

Magics

Okay what I was saying here is these are almost like quotes and good ones at that.

This part shines for me:

Using right to freely speak violates
the lives and hopes of all
when that speech hurts and denigrates, (spot on)

and gains of living free are empty
when honor starts ignoring truth: ( you may delete semi-colon)

and I thought this ending line here,

none benefit from compassion's dearth.

Upon first read I thought it to almost say compassions death.

Just my wee take on it and I like it for it speaks to all of us in one way or another and you displayed your feelings and true as they are so freely. Very nice free verse. I hand you a shake on this work. I wish I could be so prolific in my free verse. Great job and thanks for this one. Made me to twink, no I meant think:)

Regards
Mona

I still say you should give it a go for AEC, you have the interest of the site in the right mind. You have my vote.

Dear Jim,

This is about the raw truth! I love what you have done with this piece, especially these lines:

and gains of living free are empty
when honor starts ignoring truth:
for at the end of all that's said,
none benefit from compassion's dearth.

love, cat