Some argue…
“You can’t win for losing…”
Thus—they lose
I don’t honor that bruising
(It’s what we choose)
Rosa sat up front
Thus—her ‘sit’ was a stand
I refuse to be quiet
I’m no shivering man
(It might help to eat a wisdom-diet)
What moves us is protected by plates
Hearts in chest-crates
Blood-colors that marinate
Let all earth’s tinted children rejuvenate
(Maybe light a candle and participate?)
There are patterns in life if we open our eyes
We’re 5 billion strong
If we understand the prize
These 28 days aren’t too long…
(Experience the wonders of our family’s size)
An orange won’t fall from an apple tree
Their sweetness tastes different
That’s some of the wisdom in diversity
Even the same fruit have textured variant
(Our egos often stifle our humility)
I don’t abuse my melanin
I cast my vote for earth’s kin
I’m unashamed of my yellow skin
How could a dark color be a sin?
(I refuse to let hatred win)
Author notes
In America, February (the shortest month of the year...haha) is Black History month. I was thinking about it after seeing some of the typical advertisements and had the urge to write something after reflecting about it for a moment. Thank you for the visit and reading.
In a list
Comments
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Wow, I did fall into poetry heaven, did I not? Your words are so indepth and filled with such great wisdom. Well written.
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hahaha...hmmm? What a thought - and that it's directed at me is very interesting and humbling. I'm amazed at what you think of this and honored by your feedback. Thanks a million.
AsIThink...
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As I Think...so must you have given thought
to and into this piece. I am especially taken with a couple of lines:
If we understand the prize
Even the same fruit have textured variant
I don’t abuse my melanin
I cast my vote for earth’s kin
very passionant and wise. I felt your insite even from the title. Well done sir.
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Wow...what a humbling compliment bigperm. I appreciate that you took the time to read this and give me your feedback (as an 'aside': that's a hilarious avatar you have there...haha).
Thank you for letting me know your take on this. It was a good bit of release for me and was the kind of thing that once I was done writing it, I sat back just shaking my head at the crazy sort of conundrum humanity is obviously in.
AsIThink...
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i am of mixed race,
colored blind, by choice
my skin many shades
and i like it that way...
there was a time that people of color had no month at all.
some many say that black, brown, yellow has come a long way. some believe they have yet a long way to go.
i say all should stand tall, put one foot ahead of the other and keep moving on.
we should all remember that your blood my blood and everybody eles blood will always be red...
nice poem...
ustgot2loveme
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Thank you very much for the wonderful feedback and insight you've shared with us here. I appreciate the reading and your strong sentiments. More of us are of mixed ancestry than we may want to believe and the mixing has been happening for decades and more. Now our hearts? Hmmm. They are mixed with love and hatred probably more than is good for anyone (especially its owner). Maybe we'll being able to overcome surface matter and get to 'the heart' of the matter. Who knows?
AsIThink...
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Read & Heed
And, neither should you be ashamed of your skin colour! "Love is every shade of the rainbow, yet no colour at all" and we "all are of the same blood." Oh, if only the bigots realized that Jesus was black, "as black as Solomon's curtains and Kedar's tents," then they might not be so smug. Besides, "What is White?"
I am so glad this piece was spotlighted, for I have enjoyed and agree with every word you have so talentedly woven. Obama is my President and God put him there.
Luv & hugs, BonnieQ
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Thank you very much BonnieQ. I am very honored by your words; by your wisdom. I am amazed by the feedback you've given and touched by your obvious empathy. Colors of people are indicators of many things; none of them (the indicators) point to supremacy in any regard. There is such a breadth of understanding and culture; history and knowledge to be gained (and has been gained) through intercultural, inter-racial interface. We are all in God's Hands to me.
AsIThink...
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The time I see color is when another nurse I worked with was so angry that is all she could let me see. I wanted to know her and years later I did. The second black nurse in a small county. The first had committed suicide she was alone she felt every move being watched and judged. This nurse broke the ground for others this was in the early eighties not so long ago.
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Wow...thank you for sharing your experience here with me; with us. It is a sad story but full of instruction I think. Few people like or want to be alone; to be 'the only one' . Let alone, feel judged or watched. What a deplorable state we are in when this is a person's reality (or a people's reality). Thank you for the reading and powerful statements you made and for adding your strong voice to the others here. I'm so honored by it.
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I want to tell you how I hurt for both of them, yet felt helpless. Not knowing what to say or do . When I tried to talk to her I was met by anger. I was very young. we grew together I love her like my sister. I felt so guilty and akward though I had never hurt anyone or done anything I felt guilty and bad because I was white.
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Be the best 'you' that you can be. You dont owe a debt to others if you weren't part of the wronging. This is my personal view. Help whoever you can if that is your inclination. Several times (and I mean recently too), I almost feel victim to the decision to stop helping and good from becoming embittered about the lack of concern of too many others. But a great friend 'woke me up' when he said, "Never let someone stop you from doing good". Some people you reach out to, may never reach back. It is a bitter cup to sip from so sometimes, I drink from a different cup. Thank you for your marvelous story and the courage to share it.
AsIThink...
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I have to say that I agree wholeheartedly with what Bedroom Eyes had to say...
I am "color blind"; I take people for what they show me and I don't mean "face value"...I look beyond the outward appearance and look to the heart of people.
That's where the true "colors" show; the REAL deal
I celebrate "people history"
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Thank you very much for reading this. I appreciate your comments and giving me more feedback than I think I deserve. I am not "color blind" though. I never have been. And I say that to emphasize that its usage seems to say to me that to co-exist and thrive with others, we should ignore what our eyes can learn to appreciate: our various colors and degrees of hue. I thank God that I can see our differences AND our similarities; it is miraculous to me. And being able to appreciate color distinctness doesn't stop me from knowing that I don't know any person who deserves more (or less) privilege because of skin color. It is a matter of (real) diversity to me. I enjoy the differences and can still be thankful for deep sincerity and generous hearts (like what appears to be in yours for responding as you have to me). Thank you so much.
AsIThink...
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I applaud and agree with what you've written here, and it has earned a well-deserved place in the spotlight...that being said, I am also inspired to say more
I admire those who have stood up for their beliefs AND for what is right from a humanitarian standpoint. Their contributions SHOULD be remembered, and SHOULD be celebrated. However, as childish as this may seem, there comes a time when the issues of race or religion must be laid to rest.
I am not a person who judges one by the color of their skin. I am more inclined to let actions speak for themselves. The color of one's skin makes no difference to me...but the "attitude" does.
Too often (and more often lately) I see attitude coming from people of color...to be precise, children whom my daughters' go to school with.
After the election of our new President, (whom I DID vote for) these kids walked around school proclaiming that now all white people were going to be enslaved, and Black Power had finally come at last.
I realize that this came from the mouths of those who have no clue about what life is really about yet, but it annoyed my girls, and it annoyed me as they told me about it.
To me, attitudes such as this perpetuate the ridiculous ideals of yesteryear, and cause more harm than anything. I raised my girls to believe that people are never to be judged (I really don't like the word "judged", but I can think of no other that fits) by anything other than their actions, and how do I respond to them when they tell me of these kids at school? They are forming their own opinions based on what they have seen and heard. (as they were taught to do)
I could go on, but I trust my point has been made? While it IS good to celebrate Rosa Park's deeds from yesteryear, isn't it time to just celebrate freedom itself? Our forefathers are all dead now, and, with the grace of God, their twisted ideals...isn't it time to celebrate "human history" instead of "black history"?
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Thank you so much for your remarkable feedback. I am moved more than you realize. I don't know anything about this being in the "spotlight" but I do wish to shed a bit of light on where I was coming from here.
What you have said is so true; it is:
"time to celebrate "human history"
And in saying that, this doesn't diminish what I those say (in my view) about "black history" month. It is one of our history's oddities that we acknowledge the importance of theraputic healing that can (and often does clinically) go on for years but feel that years of unprecedented inhumanity should be considered, "paid in full" because it seems time to let it go.
You have offered a saddening story about what you children experienced when they heard people of color airing their misguided statements. When I wrote this, this was what came to me as something I felt strongly about. I do not promote race and disagree with its promotion. I think that was is more pressing is that we learn and grow through our interactions with one another. Adding to each other's frames of reference and adding our distinctness to the human mix seems to be one of the most valued, wise actions that we could particiapte in.
The other part to life in America, is the varied voices and range of emotions that people wish to express. I think that what we do to further the human cause and lift up each other, will ultimately define are marks we leave behind. Here in this country, racism is alive and ill. How so many wish it weren't though. Also, I think it is easier to wish away the need so many still express that they have, to connect to a past maligned by deeply troubling inhuman behavior that dominated for generations.
So, if we continue to encourage ourselves to be patient while others go through whatever healing (when that's the case) that they need and do right by others then real growth on a level we've only dreamed about will most likely come.
What sense of frustration and irritation the various races in this country feel (especially so-called "blacks" and so-called "whites"), does not have to lead down some dark tunnel of dismay. I hope to see more days of human connectedness that transcends skin color - something none of us are responsible for anyway. Your words have moved me and humbled me more than most. I thank you so much for your honesty, courage and reaching out to let me know how this impacted you.
AsIThink...
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really well written!
That is a really well written poem, looks like you chose every word oh so carefully. thank you for this fabulous write.
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Gosh, this is excellent to hear (read). I thank you so much for visiting and leaving these refreshing and humbling compliments. Thanks for feeling that this is a fabulous write. I will be by your pages too as soon as I can.
AsIThink...
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one body with many parts all different but all needed to function properly,
I love the orange and apple metaphor better!
I love your writes you just seem to creatively point to the obvious.
I JUST DO A SILENT SCREAM AHHHHHH....
because I too refused to let hatred win, I wonder sometimes if it's genetic or hereditary defect, who know AHHHH
I do love this my creative genius friend
God bless you...
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hahaha...ahhh. The wonderful rainbow lady (smiling). It's really great to see you here again. Thanks so much for your heartfelt words on this piece. I understand the "silent scream" so well too. I'm truly moved by your words of encouragement as always. I love that you love my work. You are certainly worth your weight in gold.
AsIThink...
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i like
what you have written here, ty for sharing!!!
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And I like the comment in response to it. Thank you very much for reading it.
AsIThink...
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WOW
This piece is rediculously amazing! The tone, the mood, the movement, the color, the style, the sound, the picture for the piece...the feel of energy rises through! I love this piece! This probably going to be one of my favorites from you! This is a mighty piece of intelligence! Bravo...you did well my brother!
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Mr. Wise, great getting your feedback on this piece. Hey, thanks for the visit. I'm definately glad that had the time to take a look at this; especially loved that thought you penned in responding to how this made you feel. Another excellent comment shinning through (I guess I see your true colors too...yeah, this made me glad I posted this piece: all over again -).
AsIThink...
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Fab!
Awesome write Dear Poetic Friend!
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Ahhh. It's you...hope you'r well. Thank you for the surprise visit and wonderful comment Lotus. Glad that you liked it.
AsIThink...
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Superb Plus
A very fine write, Rosa Parks, has always been one of my heros. I remember the day when she sat in the front of the bus, instead of the back. I only saw it on TV, however, it was so inspiring. Thanks for this wonderful tribute to a great American. Here's a footnote that some may be interested in:
http://www.aclu-wa.org/ -
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Thank you very, very much for your wonderfully inspiring compliments. Rosa Parks has been a hero to so many people (probably for so many reasons too). I'll tell you, I like the saying that someone made up that goes something like this: "A good sit is better than a bad stand anyday". And I say: "And when sitting impacts others the way Mrs. Parks did, then it is perhaps it's better to take a seat than to stand if it can accomplish a thing comparable to what she did". I appreciate so much that you took the time to add a link. I'll go to it soon. Thanks again.
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You are quite welcome.
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thus-we refuse...i read it twice and it was even more powerful..it's understood. good poem.
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Thank you so much Trilogy. Yes: "thus-we refuse...". Thank you for reading it twice (that's 2x's more than I had expected...). So glad that you enjoyed this piece; thank you for the great comments.
AsIThink...
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a very good message from you in this write. thank yoiu for sharing this with me. i am looking forward to reading more from you in the near future. viyanna rosemarie
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Thank you very much Viyanna Rosemarie. Welcome anytime. I appreciate your kindness here and am happy that you left me this beautiful feedback. Your are very welcomed and I look forward to reading your work as well.
AsIThink...
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VERY moving!
You had me on the verge of TEARS! how long have you been writing?
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Hello futurepoet1. Thank you very much for your amazing comment and its emotional content and impact. Wow...I could never have imagined this work would move someone as it seems to have done for you. I'm really thankful that you let me know this. (Oh yeah, I've been writing for about 2 1/2 years now).
AsIThink...
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This is really something to be proud of, and perfect for Black History Month.
What struck me most about this was the amazing determination that you feel from the very beginning, "I won't honor that bruising." I just love that! It is resilient and strong. And then the follow that with the Rosa Parks allusion is just perfect.
That third stanza is amazing. The "connectedness" of the speaker, Rosa, all the earth's tinted children really comes through. We all have hearts, and therein can we be connected. Plus, the SOUND of that part was just exciting. The roundabout description just grabs your attention, makes you really consider it as something special.
I love how you make this a personal issue. Not something for someone else to represent, but for you to have your say in. It's an important part of making a difference... not being satisfied that someone else has said or done something to further the cause, but taking up your own cross. Awesome.
Loved those little parenthetical choruses between stanzas as well... each one, it's own powerful statement.
I found this totally inspiring and am certain many more will, indeed.
ten
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I stopped by to check my page. Imagine my surprise to find all of these wonderful comments and feedback from various perspectives. I am been humbled and honored many times on this site; yet, this experience here (with this piece in particular) has moved me deeply.
I cannot thank you enough for your powerful, reflective, penetrating commentary. What a profound mark you have made on me with your remarkable praise. But not only that, you have characterized what I was thinking so well that it is as if you and I had spoken about it prior to you having written this. Indeed, it was a personal response that I was clearly compelled to jot down. One of those moments that if missed, lead to feelings of regret for letting the moment pass. In this instance, I tried to act judiciously and seem to have hit the nail kind of squarely.
Wow...I love what you said here. I hope this doesn't sound too corney (although even if it does, that won't make it any less true). I am nearly overwhelmed by these inspiring words of you and our fellow-writers and readers. Thank you so much for weighing in on this one.
AsIThink...
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A delight to read- loved the 'paranthesied' line after each stanza. Very cool.
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What a pleasant, kind compliment here. Thank you so much for it; for this reading and letting me know what you thought of it. Glad to know you enjoyed this.
AsIThink...
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wow
Any color of the skin should not be a sin, your born with that color of the skin. I am Indian and I love the color of my skin. It was a pleasure to read.
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This comment was a pleasure to read as well. Yes, we certainly are born with our skin; nothing to be ashamed of in any sense of the word. I am amazed at the response to this piece and I'm humbled by your appreciation of this piece. How gracious of you.
AsIThink...
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You Spoke It!!
i'm almost at a loss for words.truly i am at a loss.
this poem spoke volumes.not only to us of the darker skin but to us as in U.S.A. and beyond. i'm printing it as soon as i'm done posting this comment.thank you and bless you for posting it.
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THANK YOU very, very much. This is such an energetic and inspiring comment. To say to you that I appreciate this reading and am grateful to you for your kind words (while it is all true) just doesn't capture my feelings and thoughts about your feedback here. Thank you for printing it and I'm so glad that you enjoyed this and think as highly of it as you have indicated.
AsIThink...
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I used to work at the oldest Black Theatre in the world, internationally renowned...Karamu House. On the wall behind the reception desk was a plaque that read; BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR HERE!
Those are my sincere sentiments. You have inspired me to repost my essay; "No Offense Taken". The essay addresses the accomplishments of a people in spite of the odds against them.
Your writ encourages even those who know not the fight and have no sense of the battle that still rages in a country that was built on the sweat of the brow of those who are in many ways still mentally enslaved.
A very poignant work of poetry here dear friend. Thank you for writing this poem and addressing some prominent issues that some choose to enlist are outdated.
Much Love & Respect ♥
Renee
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Oh wow sis...
What do I say to such an eye full; such a mouthful (and I'm mindful too) that I nearly froze in quiet amazement. I really, really have to say I never expected more than a couple of comments (if that given the subject matter). You have encouraged me many times here (whether you realized it or not) and NOW you say these things about this piece. I cannot tell you properly how wonderfully touching your words are to me; how inspiring this is to hear. Thank you so, so much sis.
Much Love & Respect right back at you.
Randy.
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Very well done. Often, I finish a poem and even if I like it, i feel like the author had some trouble expressing what they were trying to express. With this poem, I got the impression that the boundary between your thoughts and penned words was all but non-existent. A rare and impressive feeling.
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Thank you so very much. Regarding your comment, "A rare and impressive feeling." - that is pretty much how I feel about your words here. Words so full of reflection and inspiration. I thank God that I have gotten so especially nice compliments on this piece and yours is some of the most memorable and meaningful to me. I was flushed with a wonderful sense of accomplishment when I read what you had to say about this.
AsIThink...
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I loved it! Such insightfulness and honesty... and hope!
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This is a terrific piece of feedback. Thank very much for it and I'm really glad that you were able to get into it. I'm so grateful to you.
AsIThink...
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I can't even imagine you ever considered "not keeping" this! It is truly magnificent, deserving to be published in a more widespread manner. It will also stand the test of time. Your rhyme scheme is virtually flawless, and the parenthetical statements give us a jolt just where we need it. I hope you will post this again every year, so new readers can see it. You only need to change the title to include the current date! Well done, Little Brother!
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You know, it's been a few months now and I've received so many amazing words of praise and encouragement from you; fantastic insights and wonderful advice. But to-date, this is by-far one of your most remarkable comments to me. Thank you very, very much for such powerful feedback and inspiration to keep going. I'm excited by the impact this had on you and think that I'll never quite manage to find appropriate words to thank you with. God-willing, I shall take you up on the re-posting (annually) idea.
AsIThink...
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Wow! I love this! I don't think I could write anything that great and make it rhyme. I love the part about the wisdom diet. And the orange falling from an apple tree! Good job!
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I apologize for this late response your comments; very flattering comments at that. Thank you somuch for thinking so much of this work. I truly appreciate time kind words and thoughts you shared with me about this.
AsIThink...
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This is so inspiring for many reasons. I love the whole thing but i would have to say my favorite is the last part. you did an awsome job!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thank you very much for your warm feedback here. This comment in itself makes having posted this piece feel so worthwhile. I'm happy about the way you seem to have been able to experience this write; I feel truly honored by you.
AsIThink...
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Outstanding! Inspirational! My bag of adjectives is empty today... but I liked this a LOT.
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This is a very wonderful, comment that raised my eyebrows and made my face bright yellow with joy. Your keen sense and deep empathy have moved me in an amazing way (BIG smiles). Thank you very much Mallig...I am so happy to see you back online so regularly again.
AsIThink...
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WOW...this is powerfully penned. It really struck a chord with me. I think it's my favourite write from you so far...and that's saying something! When oh when...will humanity live up to its name.
Bravo!
Mariana
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Your comments brought a wonderful feeling of satisfaction to me; and left me with a sense of accomplishment. I'm grateful that you took time out to read this piece and happier that you chose to leave me some feedback. Wow...your "favorite write"? Yes, that feels terrific to know and glad that you enjoyed this as you have said.
AsIThink...
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Oh My Word~
Wow~ I was just thinking of Rosa Parks yesterday and I so Love how You brought forth a Powerful message This is Brilliant and radiates on so many levels You have Inspired me to get my pieces together in Honor of Black History Month~ Oy!!!! I can stop running around in circles now
Presentation is spot on my Friend 
Thank You for sharing Your Heart and Spirit~
Many blessings to You in all You do Sweet Soul
Best wishes always
with much love & light~ Desire~*~
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As "Shaggy" would say: "Zoinks!" LOL...wow, you have caught me off guard with this remarkable feedback. And thanks for putting it in a list (Now that's first for me...outside of my own lists OR my brother's list). I'm so glad that you liked this piece and have said such kind things about it. This was a different feel for me and you can imagine that I'm pleased to see that it hasn't sunk (yet...haha). I truly appreciate your surprising comments. I'm very humbled by it.
AsIThink... -
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Me Love Scooby Dooooooooo~ and You already knew this feedback was coming because You are 'AsIThink'
and Swan - both bring forth Beauty inside and out~
Sooooooooooo fair to say~ words won't sink
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You must have on your "extra-kindness" glasses. Thank you tons.
AsIThink... -
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Thankies Sweet Soul~ You are more than Welcome
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the shortest month of the year and they want to call it black history month. they need to talk about the indians a.k.a black moores. that had power before the europeans came. how they stood next to kings and queens. yea they wont talk about real black true history. how they even help write the declaration of independence. yea we had an influence on history, not just slavery. great piece. sorry got carried away there
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haha...no problem about the 'tangent' (smiling). I honestly appreciate your feedback on this. I think that after all of this time, I have come to recognize that sometimes, "It is what it is". Yes, there are always the stories that are told in preference to the ones sometimes more bold; but what of it? I am only certain (in these "uncertain" times) of a few things. One of the most important to me has to do with seemingly overwhelming need (to me) to speak to the minds AND hearts of others; to strive for human excellence. That quality of searching for and reaching out towards commonality of purpose; to be the best that we can possibly be. And so that (I think) before we know it, we leave this place (and all of its inhabitants) better than we found it.
AsIThink...
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Fantastic write. I like the way you approached the subject and your layout and display...alby
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Thanks for this reading and such a generous comment. I appreciate the feedback more than you know.
AsIThink...
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WOW!!!
yO rAN, THIS IS OUTSTANDING MY BROTHER..SO FULL OF WISDOM, SO DEEPLY THOUGHT PROVOKING AND FULL OF 'LIFE TRUTHS' I am far beyond impressed kid!!
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Thanks a ton Swan-son. It's not very often that I get 'all caps' from you; "LEGEND" sends me them all the time though (hahaha).
I really appreciate the humbling feedback. I never truly know what to make of what I write most of the time and as in the past, I grappled with "To keep it or Not to keep it"...lol. THAT was the question. THEN I thought, "Oh what the heck...either it's okay or it isn't" hahaha...that surrrrrrrrrre does take the pressure off. lol.
AsIThink...
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