To a million Black Stars.
It is of course, the origins of to whom we belong,
and not the moral conjecture of right or wrong,
the issue, clear as day's fierce light,
that nullifies the argument of Black or White,
and scorns the moralistic finger on how we behave,
from the purity of our birth to our noble grave;
know we well the nurtured scheme of God, drew
a picture, conceived, drawn in whiteness true.
ni**ger with humour said, a pleasant colour brown.
Nay! tis a being lower than the lowest grown,
how they, in cursive modern times show ingratitude,
course their savage tongues, chant vicissitude,
in massed blackened throngs, their chorus ring
words of lesser understanding, pray, Who is Luther King?
alas! 'tis not easy to converse, with those who lack
intellect,the the sanctuary of our pious ways attack,
from the syndrome of our inner eye, we must Police,
whilst the seething, venomous black mass increase,
but with gas to cast a tear and rifling very sure,
we will the right of superior man restore
in glorious truth, God's visual image, doth invite
visions of the soul, a furnaced image White,
in contrast, blindness deep and sombre darkness rank
of surly deathly Black, with no grey to thank,
that which counterfeits the unchartered gloom,
White"s virginity, of stars and softly glowing moon,
'tis, in the simplicity of all earthly wise men,
that White is right and Black no more than Phlegm,
so, you ni**ger all, you have no right,
for God, through White men, invented Apartheid,
OH! How very sad, yet so beautiful is South Africa,
OH! HOW SINISTER, EUROPEAN TRAMPS, MADE SUCH A MONUMENTAL SCAR.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Posted: May 2014
About this poem:
This was written after my stay in South Africa in 1961, the European doctrine of Apartheid was incomprehensible and not one iota of humanity attached to it, yet deemed the God given right of those who wheeled power.
If there are uncomfortable lines, then the lines are not in vain.
Comments (21)
Thank yu for your profound comment, if the lines register for the better, then in a small way I have served mankind. Phil.
Thank you, this poem was written when most good people on this site where not even thought of let alone born, so as you suggest, this pen of mine was somewhat radical in highlighting such injustices, whilst the intervening years have made inroads into the realms of equality, we must maintain its forward movement, surely it is our duty to write of such things as well as the beautiful experiences of mankind.
Regards, Phil.
I am glad I live in a time where I look at my children and see people who SEE people not
what they look like but who they are.
It would be nice to have the world just 'see' people.
I think the children will do that, if they are allowed to think for themselves
hugs
So lovely to have a positive comment from some one living in South Africa, it was re-assuring to read that through your pare,tal skills, your children are not by the then political dogma, for it is surely the children who hold the future key to this beautiful world of ours. I have also written a much longer poem with reference to that beautiful country of your, but would hasten to say, in a much softer poetic tone, essentially a reflection 30yrs after my visit, a proverbal wisdom states, 'the longest journey starts with a single step', so through the likes of your children, the journey will continue, and the world a better place. Fond regards, Phil.
Fantastic write...
Thank you so very much for your comments,it is the sort of dialogue that educates and heals, my stay in Cape Town was dramatic both for the positive and the negative, and it is of the later that charged the ink to flow from my pen. I have fond memories of your great country, for you all have made it greater, hopefully before my days are over, I will visit once again.
Kind regards,
Phil.
A late reply to your kind comment, have been absent from the site due to family commitments, a late appreciation.
Phil.
I am grateful for your comment, a late reply for reasons as I explained earlier.
Regards,
Phil.
My grateful thanks,
Phil.