The Prejudice Conspiracy by Amera at All poetry

Just when it all began, no really one knows
The prejudice conspiracy
They judge you by your skin, turning up their nose
Masking human decency

The prejudice conspiracy
Labeled by your race, judged by your hair
It’s a social malignancy
If you don’t conform, you better not be there

They judge you by your skin, turning up their nose
So just because I’m white
And Goth is what I choose, you don’t like my clothes
I have to hide or fight

Masking human decency
Infected tumor of our species
The prejudice conspiracy
Inflicting human agony

Author notes

Retourne

Like so many other French forms, the retourne is all about repetition. It contains four quatrains (four-line stanzas), and each line has eight syllables. The trick is that the first stanza's second line must also be the second stanza's first line, the first stanza's third line is the third stanza's first, and the first stanza's fourth line is the fourth stanza's first. Retournes do not have to rhyme.

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Swan song
May 17, 2007

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This is wonderful You have rhythm and all, but i have one question. The syllable count if not eight. It is still excellent, but i see we can deviate from the rules?
Delta
March 27, 2007

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Most eXcellent
If we are true to ourselves we become the derelicts of a society that sales dreams and promises of liberty and equality, but is setup to benefit a few from the sweat off the backs of many.

All this ingroup/outgroup xenophobic crap causes such mass scale angst and derision that it seems to be an unstoppable ever present plotting force. Though many act out this game due to ignorance, fear, conditioning, and necessity; others seem to do so fully aware, holding no regret, and with no intentions to change.

How can we live to our full potential under such duress? Hiding dulls us and Fighting such a persuasive and potent force depletes physical and psychic energy.

How do we live...

I was very moved by this poem. I feel it. Thanks for sharing. I've spent alot of time thinking of such things and trying to find ways to be me and live a real life in this world without being completely empty. Still trying.

Love, ~D
sunny day
March 27, 2007

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Rock On!!!!!!!!!!!
Amera, You rocked with this retourne, powerful and so true. We have always heard the saying, "You can't judge a book by its cover". That is exactly what happens when prejudice takes hold of people. This is such a powerful piece and filled with imagery through the magnificent verbiage you used to make your point very clear. I hear you loud and clear, I wish that others would take heed of your words. We need a better tomorrow and that starts with today. Thank you for sharing this masterpiece. Kudos my dear friend. Love and God bless, Joyce
blueyez
March 26, 2007
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rock on sister! Speak!!!
PerVirtuous
March 25, 2007

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Excellent...
Like the shackled people in Plato's 'Allegory of the Cave', people can only be held responsible for what they have been exposed to. To call it a conspiracy is to interject the idea that they are complicit in that prejudice, when it is not intentional, but born of ignorance, a default position. It would be counterproductive to hold society accountable for lack of understanding. It is far better to show them understanding up close and personal. Then they will have experienced it, and like the lucky man in the cave, have their shackles removed.

The good news, I believe, is that everyone has within them an understanding that is greater than the one conditioned into them. That understanding can be awakened, even if only for a time, and one who lives in grace will find that conforming is unnecessary. God will cut an invisible swath for them to walk in. If they accept the direction given, the world will look like a completely different place. You will see there is no conspiracy, just a group of frightened and lonely people who have no idea of where to find themselves, so they huddle together and hide in the shadows. Hardly a conspiracy, is it? Three bunnies for a beautiful write spawned by a beautiful thought from a beautiful person.
Spiritvision angel
March 25, 2007

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I understand the truth of this write and have seen it often. Though i have a heart that does not discriminate, even myself was picked on as a child when we first moved north. Being the only native american family at the time in a small city, we got teased about our very long hair while pixy cuts were in. Giving into pressure my mother eventually cut both my sister and my hair off and kept the braids. Though it grew back out, it left the scar of prejudice on our hearts. Great write my friend.
Dalaney
March 25, 2007

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I see this so much...
everywhere...not only in the south.
It will never go away, darling...From
the beginning of time it has been here
and festered. We can only try to
educate and stay clean...

Love, Lane
Desire
March 25, 2007

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Wonderful-
I think You have done every form known to mankind
Another Magnificent piece and this one is interesting for I have not tried yet but will also give a whirl...

Love the repetition~ It just flows~~
Powerful verse for there are many who cast judgements by what they see~
not knowing what lies underneath is a Beautiful personality...
same as that perceived Beauty on the outside with
the inner personality of a weed...
Thank You for sharing this

Many blessings to You!
Best wishes too
and much love~ Desire~*~
JohnnyD
March 25, 2007

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Actually that is a very pretty young gal, nice facial features and eyes although I believe the hair and eyes are colored by photoshop or Corel. Nice poem as well gal, flows nice. yeah, and prejudice sucks, we had that in Georgia when we sharcropped with two black families in the early 50s and late 40s, so I can relate.