Why do you walk
with heavy steps?
Why do you curse
those for whom your brethren wept?
Why do you fear
nothing, nowhere, nobody?
You fight them with a doctrine
while that doctrine tells you
not to fight them
That false sense of pride,
that eloquent bride holding onto
that statue so dearly
The fear
wells
pushes
makes
…us
Who are ‘we’?
An image of
community?
country?
species?
Are our struggles not our own?
Could you look a dying man in the eyes
and resent him for their color?
“It’s not us, it’s not us…”
Advancement lies in
achievement lies in
openness lies in
acceptance lies in
tolerance lies in
understanding of ultimate unity
No flames will die,
no floods will drain,
no clouds will break to let the sun shine through
until we reach to the heavens, open our
eyes
hearts
mouths
and shout out:
we
are
one
Author notes
"The world is not black and white, but in shades of gray"
So I met this guy the other day--xenophobic and proud. On two opposite sides of a valley, I couldn't see why he felt the way he did, and he couldn't see why I feel the way I do. That person inspired me to write this poem.
A contest entry
- Roses around, Flowers in bloom, Help me get my poetic muse back by LadyOfFate.
600 points, ended February 28, 2008, 27 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - [GUYS ONLY] Impress Me by Sesheta.
630 points, ended March 30, 2008, 52 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Like?
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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very interesting. it is nice. though it seems you are ready to pick up a picket sign and walk about trying to get the world to care even though you know that the majority of the world doesn't care one wit. very nice and interesting. good luck
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I do know. But I feel I must spread the message if I can. Thanks for the comment!
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I have to give you mad props for writing something in such a way that I have never seen before... the structure of this poem was very creative. The message is passionate and thought provoking.
Well done and good luck in the contests.
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Thank you for the comment! It's always good to know my work is original.
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A very well written piece! You get the point across very well about the difference between two! It's a great write!
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Thanks for the applause and comment!
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Very much welcomed!
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This was a really powerful piece. Structurally, it's really interesting and the way you formatted the poem just works so well with what you were trying to say. The poem itself is very strong, and you get your message across both eloquently and effectively. This is the type of piece that makes me want to read it more than once, and it's very convincing.
As for the author notes--meeting the xenophobic guy and both of you not understanding the viewpoint of the other--I can totally relate. Sometimes you hear an opinion and it's so completely foreign (no irony intended) that you just can't wrap your mind around it. I think this piece is a really good response to that. Bravo.
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Thank you! It's one of my first poems structured in an abstract way, so it's good to know it turned out well. Thanks for the comment and applause!
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I really love this poem, and I am touched. I do think, however, that a certain amount of xenophobia is understandable. It's the way we all deal with it that can help us or kill us. Foreingers must realize that they need to learn as much about their new country as possible, and those who have lived there longer must open their minds and hearts to the simple truth that we all have the option of either becoming children or of hating each other and suffering the consequences. Your poem is right on, and I'm gonna pay for some bunnies! God bles you! - ocerus
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I do agree, it's necessary and a pretty core part of human nature--this is more against the unnecessary or extreme forms. Thanks for the comment and applause!
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