Political / Social Poems (810)

Freedom's Illusion

Freedom conjures sight of wings
but illusion traps us all.
Geese that fly fall behind
from shots by hunters in their blind.
The geese southern flight
is a constant risk,
no more freedom than a fish
swimming freely in the sea
till net or hook their freedom steal.
Oceans favor blue skies mirth
their preference kissing sandy shore
wallowing in ancient lore,
yet loose control of "White Squall's birth,
it's tidal flow
at mercy
of "Moody Moon's Turf.
And so in a trap is all of Man,
it nests within his soul.
And he feels the rakish lust
from the tines of lying myths
that he and he alone is blessed
with freedoms bliss,
until he tries to fly,
and feels the weight of gravity's drag.
So now he sits upon the sand,
watching black fish die on land
while juggling tar balls in his hands.
His only freedoms are his thoughts.
And maybe that's enough.

Bewildered as black people we stand between friends and foes, merging from different forms of slavery, but yet to be free; abandoned by the promise of forty acres and a mule to stake their lot. From the righteous ambition of this ill-fated notion we rose from the ashes destined for something greater that failure or death. Political powers, indifference and contempt fuels impartial protection before a democratic system that has vowed to serve and protect all citizens without compromise or bias.
How Many Have to Die?
Alluded prejudices based on color or race deepens insensitiveness to seek the element of truth. Hatred embedded in leadership is regressive in the soul of democracy, manifested with no palpable gain. Retrogression is social desire in opposition to progress and social movement. Education is commissioned to teach tolerance and understanding without self-sacrificing indifferences as hatred, envy or strife.
How Many Have to Die?
Assimilation through self- assertion is a natural process; the disenfranchisement of any race should come into question without silent submission; notably protecting human dignity and life should not be seen as revolt or revenge but an act of poetic justice by the masses. The irony of blindly sighted mistrust along color or race lines is a paradox of fear and the impetus of race prejudice and a breeding ground for deep seated hatred and justified murder.
How Many Have to Die?
Reconciliation was once a growing spirit equitable to race healing but largely an experiment leaving no one responsible for the wrongs to aid and abet the national crime of slavery. Emancipation became industrialized slavery under “Jim Crow” and civic deaths of blacks divided our nation and killed the power to heal. Blacks have strived mightily to help themselves, but it is second or aroused by the richer environing groups; set on unorthodox practices to kill the human spirit. Enslaved minds are boldly desecrated with deep seeded roots that dawns our nation’s history. The darkness can be lifted through the rebuilding of our vision not to relive past mistakes rooted in society like scattered stones.
How Many Have to Die?
We must hasten the journey of change and stop the burying of our young before they had a chance to live. “Stand Your Ground” is legalized street justice occupying space no one owns. All are not silent on this unfenced notion of legal justice waddling down justice path. Did we forget to close the gate hinged on past history or is fear and hatred so deeply seated we lost our ability to care. Let not our life’s journey stop here starring at a law that has so blindly crept into our civilized society under the veil of race hatred hidden under the hood of justice. Does “Stand Your Ground” disenfranchise our freedom or did the citizens of Florida vote themselves into a revolution of war and justified murder?
Just How Many have To Die?

Too much steering fluid
My car making noise when I turn
Soaking it up with paper towels
Calling my mechanic who sold me the car
Denying they did anything wrong
Are cars like people in health care?
They're just trying to get rich and have to push you through
They make more money the more people they see you see
Medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in America
Greed trouble
Greed trouble
Everyone is looking out for #1
You and me and greed trouble
What's gonna become of all this greed trouble?

Making breakfast for the Wolves

We offer gall to sheep seeking clear brook water.
Brown fields have deputized themselves,
laying waste green pastures.
The sun is gorged with fire before
it peeks above the Eastern rim.
Autumn now bargains with passing artists
for their pallets.
Horse drawn sleighs that sliced through powdered snow,
that pealed hello, faces laughing
all aglow, now sink in mire,
the only sound, the chewing mud.
We are the Shylock artist stroking wide
a swath of paint on canvas, the color of lost.
And in our pretended effort we have become
breakfast for the wolves.
We have become the thirsty lamb.

Can someone tell me what this means?
To be politically correct as far as I can see
Means knowing how and when to lie
And being able to do it without batting an eye...
Well, as for me I would sure be caught more oft than not with my pants down....
I mean I couldn't lie to save my life..
I would stutter, turn redder
Than the nose on a certain reindeer
And while we are talking bout that
It is another skill that you must have
Give all the details but none at all
No matter how small
Refuse to comment when it suits you
Or when you know they're speaking the truth
Forget names and dates
No matter if it chokes you
Learn how to look at people
Like if they are the bottom of your shoe....
Boy being politically correct is a lot of work
If I tried I'd be a big joke
So thank you but I will stay the fool
Than be some politician's tool
Politically incorrect if I please
That way.... at night
I will sleep with ease.

With sustained winds of a-hundred-ninety-five mph
and gusts up to two-hundred-and-thirty-five,
it’s no wonder that so many people can’t
enjoy island life or, worse, are no longer alive.
Bodies in water, bodies on bridges,
bodies on side of road, die
everywhere, flesh rotting over
and under heaps of rubble, piled high.

Bodies impaled by floating debris,
as hidden under water it veers
fresh water salted by 5-meter ocean wall
and saline of human tears,
leaving thirst that reaches into
the infinite depths of sorrow’s abyss.
Too many are those that have seen
devastation as wide-spread as this.

Roads washed out, blocked by debris,
lights no longer brightly shining
electricity compromised or totally gone,
leaves dark clouds, no silver lining.
Food, clothing, shelter, all taken away.
Then, tropical low Zoraida stirred hot air.
Its blowing winds more rain delivered,
leaving citizens drowning in their despair.

Thankfulness for being alive now replaced
by constant worries about how to survive
with not only homes but cities destroyed
leaving no sustenance and no place dry.
As competition pits survivor against survivor,
marring the complexion of the human face
a nation awaits worldwide compassion
its love and its support and saving grace.

“Inside you there is a ‘song’,
And unless you sing it, your life will be miserable and an utter failure,
Also, only you know what that ‘song’ is,
How will you know your ‘song’?
When you think of this ‘song/activity/calling/career, etc.’, your whole skin tingles with delight, your soul opens up and you feel like you’re snuggled right up to the God-Force,
And your love overflows to all of creation…”

I had a very strange day the other day,
I was lying on the beach watching the world go by, when I saw a little child trip and fall whilst running and immediately burst into tears,
The parent rushed to its aid and began weeping as well as the child’s nose was all bloodied from the fall,
And I looked up and saw G_d crying too…

Later that day, I witnessed a couple arguing,
Suddenly the male got up and stormed off,
The female started sobbing softly as her body shook from anguish,
And I looked up and saw G_d crying too…

Later that day, I was visiting a friend in a large corporation’s offices when a man approached her desk, fighting back tears,
My friend asked what’s wrong, he had just been let go,
And I looked up and saw G_d crying too…

Later that day, I was having coffee with a friend when his mobile rang,
He answered, listened for a couple of seconds, then his face transformed into one of great sorrow and tears inundated his face,
He mumbled a thanks and closed the phone,
What’s wrong I asked alarmed,
His ailing mother who was on another continent had just passed away,
And I looked up and saw G_d crying too…

Later that day, as I was walking alone deep in thought, I noticed a stranger walking alongside me,
Hi, I said, do I know you?
Oh yes, the stranger replied, I am G_d,
Shocked, I gasped,
Wha, wha what are you doing here I asked,
I am here to answer your question,
My burning question was, of course, why did G_d cry at all the mishaps throughout the day instead of helping or better still putting an end to all the misery I had witnessed?
Simple, was G-d’s answer,
All those of my children who burst into tears today forgot who they are,
And that, was what made me cry…

I think of all the wrong that is done in the name of freedom
90 million dead Indians
Three million dead Vietnamese
600,000 dead soldiers in the Civil War
57,000 dead Vietnam War soldiers
Over a million dead Iraq citizens
Countless millions dead during World War I and II
Stealing oil
Stealing land
PTSD
Homeless veterans
Unpunished criminal military atrocities like rape and murder
Friendly fire
Nameless victims
Decorated soldiers
Unfair justice
Countless tombstones all in white

Today, during my meditation, I had a strange experience,
I noticed an idle thought dancing before me like a feminine roué,
Strange, I thought, I’m in my serious, delightful and rejuvenating daily meditation, so why this distraction?
After asking for The God-Force’s Love to protect me, I decided to follow this trite thought that dared disturb my ‘holy’ reverie…

The kernel of the thought was this:-
“My, my, why such struggle, why such effort to unite with the Divine?”
Yes, I know, this could be a dangerous and slippery road,
But, tired of the ‘faking-it-till-you-make-it’ philosophy, I decided to follow…

“So, you think that wanting to unite with the Divine is not worth the proverbial ‘blood, sweat and tears…’, I ventured?
“I did not say that,” countered the thought, “…all things are necessary in their season…, and, after all, you’re paying attention to me, not me to you. So, why are you following me?”
“Don’t really know”, says I, “…but I feel a little brave and I am protected by the Infinite’s Love…”
“Good,” says the thought, “…come with me then…”

The thought then led me to Ecclesiastes 3:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it; He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end; I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life; And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.”

Wow! It always fills me with tremendous awe to be reminded of those ‘holy’ words,
But, what message is there in them for me today?
[End the struggle dear friend, end the ‘efforting’, its not necessary. The God-Force knows you! It is within you, it is around you, it flows through you. It knows your wants, desires, aspirations. In fact, its always paying attention to your every thought, rooting for you, loving you endlessly, guiding you like a caring Mother its young… What is necessary is to relax and to trust and to always but always follow LOVE! One can seldom, then go down the wrong path! Yes, act when you must, refrain when you must, yes, contemplate when you must, refrain when you must, yes, love when you must, but, never refrain from loving! ]