tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13418032971057472542024-03-12T21:33:45.238-05:00ShirleyHallPoetSHIRLEY HOWARD HALL<br>
The Voice Behind The StoryAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-60637515574447185522013-11-10T17:39:00.006-06:002013-11-10T17:39:56.915-06:00REVERIE - I THOUGHT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">I thought we’d like <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">the same music<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">read the same books<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">see the same movies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;">I was wrong</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">I thought short of merit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">our lives would dance freely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">in our own clumsy way <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">we’d see ourselves <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">in one another<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;">I thought</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">I thought candle light and flowers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 150%;">would
swirl waves of passion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">we’d like the same wine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">confront the same </span><span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;">dogmas</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought you’d be love’s metaphor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">the imagery I fashioned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;">we’d be souls entwined in time</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">inseparable together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;">I was wrong</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought I’d never be bored<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought I’d never be lonely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought your touch <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">would make me tremble<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought our love <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">would warm and cuddle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought what’s yours <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">would be mine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought what’s mine <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">would be ours<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought I’d free myself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">to be myself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">thought I’d see myself <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Century","serif";">in you <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;">I was wrong</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">From "EMBRACE" by Shirley Howard Hall</span></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Century, serif; line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Available on all on-line sites, Amazon.com, all e-readers, and Barnesandnoble.com.</span></i></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-35604468176156202952013-02-07T15:30:00.002-06:002013-02-07T15:40:26.243-06:00BORN INTO SLAVERY-ROOTED IN LOVE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
BORN INTO SLAVERY – ROOTED IN LOVE<br />
<br />
<br />
We are the ancestors of the historical horrors<br />
birthed into arms of a chattel society<br />
born amidst slave blocks<br />
fields of cotton and tobacco<br />
dispensed into theaters of torture and doom<br />
<br />
Women of the Diaspora, men of the homeland<br />
chased into woods, along rivers, through valleys<br />
hoist into freedoms curtained with provisions<br />
probing nights shadows for illusory lights<br />
<br />
We are the ancestors of the historical horrors<br />
absconding the bondage – demarcating the lies<br />
hallowed by truths once held as self evident<br />
conceding the horrors- expounding the crimes<br />
<br />
We are the nemesis to slavery’s horrors<br />
nourished through caring, thriving on hope<br />
forging a kinder more peaceful existence<br />
born into slavery, yet rooted in love<br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">From "ONE DAY" by Shirley Howard Hall </span></em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-76707758501471292552013-02-07T12:12:00.001-06:002013-02-07T12:12:56.125-06:0028 Days<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
28 DAYS </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I need a year to be black</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
linguistics of typecasting </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
get it just right</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
pigeonholed in a bucket</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cagy stereotypes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I need a year to be black</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
deprived of a home</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in a white neighborhood</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shunned in a racist white club</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
apply for a job whites only</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
test equal work equal pay laws</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shoved in the corners</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of fine restaurants</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
rejected avoided eschewed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
passed over imprisoned and cheated</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
profiled in keen airports and schools</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
need a year to secure high blood pressure</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sickle cell, diabetes and aids</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to be told that my brain is smaller than most</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
wash dishes, clean toilets</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>refrain</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
need a year to honor the ace of spades</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
stand on corners, push drugs pot and pills</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
get welfare and food stamps</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
be single and poor</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
join a gang, learn to pilfer and steal</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to exhaust all my savings</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
estrange my white friends</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
donate all my finery and jewels</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
void my accomplishments</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
distance achievements</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in short to make me more like you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
give me a year to practice the lies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to make all your falsehoods come true</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to drop out of school</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
quit a well paying job</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sell my home in the burbs next to yours</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
28 days just won’t do it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
need a year to turn back the tide</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or you can enlighten yourself and your friends</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on the truths of Black History</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Black Pride. </div>
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-9644617106226636182013-01-19T18:37:00.003-06:002013-01-19T18:46:06.487-06:00MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 1929 a child was born</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in a small backward town</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on a cold windy morn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the son of a man of God so sworn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to spread good tidings and hopes freeborn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This boy child grew in statue and mind</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and developed a love of all mankind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this love was taught throughout the south</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and equality preached through word of mouth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He wanted a world that lay at peace</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he wanted the prejudice to cease</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he wanted the north and south to meet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on a highway to glory</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">aboard a heavenly fleet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a peaceful tenure the war begun,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">some battles were lost while others were won.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a few folks decided their lives to give</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">so their brothers and sisters could someday live.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this leader of men and women alike</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was tortured and beaten yet refused to fight.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then one quiet day when all seemed well</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a chartered demon ascended from hell,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he fired one shot of hatred and scorn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he placed an entire nation in mourn.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That morning in Memphis a body lay cold.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">an irreplaceable creature strong fearless and bold.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martin Luther king Junior died in 68.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">had his purpose been served or was it fate</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that took this great leader at the peak of his war</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that for a million people closed an open door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The year is nineteen seven and nine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">this is the day, this is the time,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to join our hands and show that we care</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to show we remember and whisper a prayer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For peace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">©1979Shirley</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">©2007Shirley</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From the book "ONE DAY" by Shirley Howard Hal.
<div style="text-align: center;">
Available on all e-readers and from your local bookstorel</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-6457901284100335272012-07-05T18:03:00.003-05:002012-07-05T18:03:51.672-05:00THE PLEDGE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
THE PLEDGE</div>
<br />
<br />
I pledge allegiance to the nation that was,<br />
<br />
To my forefather's plan for a democratic ride.<br />
<br />
To "We the People", to "Fourscore and Seven"<br />
<br />
To the liberty bell's underground.<br />
<br />
<br />
And to the violent republic for which we stood,<br />
<br />
(The one that took innocent lives.)<br />
<br />
To Viet Nam, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Sudan<br />
<br />
(We are told it's for freedom they die.)<br />
<br />
<br />
One nation under God has changed a bit,<br />
<br />
The umbrella's tilted south,<br />
<br />
Instead of interring the blacks and the reds,<br />
<br />
We're attacking the bronze and the brown.<br />
<br />
<br />
Indivisible with liberty we stand our ground,<br />
<br />
Inequality and separatism abide.<br />
<br />
Our blue collar heroes die wrongful deaths,<br />
<br />
While our white collar leaders survive.<br />
<br />
<br />
And justice for all is a thing of the past,<br />
<br />
No more room for the tired and the poor.<br />
<br />
Lady Liberty's light shines dimmer now,<br />
<br />
Humbled masses seek alternate shores<br />
<br />
<br />
In spite of the path we aimlessly tread,<br />
<br />
We are still one man one vote.<br />
<br />
It still reads, "We the people",<br />
<br />
It still says "In God We Trust".<br />
<br />
<br />
So I pledge allegiance to liberty and justice<br />
<br />
And "to the republic for which it stands."(¹)<br />
<br />
To "one nation under God indivisible." (¹)<br />
<br />
Every child, every woman, every man.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I pledge to stand up for the red, white and blue<br />
<br />
To prove that our banner yet waves.<br />
<br />
To endlessly fight for freedom and peace<br />
<br />
In this land we call free, we call brave. <br />
<br />
(¹)"Pledge of Allegiance"<br />
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-11960115463954286362012-05-11T20:55:00.001-05:002012-05-11T20:55:10.345-05:00IN 2001 SHE DIED<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
IN 2001 SHE DIED</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In 2001 she died</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was winter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have always loved winter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I got a new black dress</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In 2001 we buried her</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did the program</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the eulogy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the poem</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the coffin</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the suit for burying</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
jewelry, underwear</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
shoes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
flowers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I picked all white roses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I like white roses</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it wasn’t fun</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was the oldest</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I liked hearing the preacher</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
read my poem</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sometimes I write really well</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 2001 we drove</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a million miles to be there</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
it was winter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she was old</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she’d had a really great life</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I liked her a lot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In 2000 I bought my last</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mother’s Day gift</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in 2001 she died</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before Mothers Day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
before her birthday</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and sometimes I miss her a lot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but mostly now</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I just miss her a little</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
except on Mother’s Day</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
“I carry her heart in my heart”</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when through tears</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I pen her a poem</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
“Happy Mother’s Day mom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love you!”</div>
<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-14740174812627142912012-02-04T17:24:00.001-06:002012-02-04T17:37:27.842-06:00BORN INTO SLAVERY – ROUTED IN LOVE<div align="center">BORN INTO SLAVERY – ROUTED IN LOVE<br /><br />We are the ancestors of the historical horrors<br />birthed into arms of a chattel society<br />born amidst slave blocks<br />fields of cotton and tobacco<br />delivered into waiting hands of pain and dome<br /><br />We are the ancestors of the historical horrors<br />chased into woods, along rivers, through valleys<br />led into freedoms curtained with provisions<br />Women of the Diaspora, men of the homeland<br />searching the darkness for a nonexistent light<br /><br />We are the ancestors of the historical horrors<br />born into slavery, rooted in love<br />blessed with the hopes only family offers<br />nourished with caring, thriving on trust.<br /><br />We are the future of our mothers and fathers<br />bearing the burdens of those left behind<br />forging a kinder, more peaceful existence<br />remembering the slavery, nurturing the love.<br /><br /><br />From the book “ONE DAY”<br />by Shirley Howard Hall</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-35694303114522083012012-02-04T17:18:00.002-06:002012-02-04T17:24:31.893-06:0028 DAYS<div align="center">28 DAYS<br /></div><br /><div align="center">I need a year to be black<br /></div><br /><div align="center">linguistics of typecasting<br />get it just right<br />pigeonholed in a bucket<br />cagy stereotypes<br /><br />I need a year to be black<br /><br />deprived of a home<br />in a white neighborhood<br />shunned<br />in a racist white club<br />apply for a job<br />whites only<br />test equal work equal pay laws<br /><br />shoved in the corners<br />of fine restaurants<br />rejected avoided eschewed<br />passed over<br />imprisoned and cheated<br />profiled in keen airports and schools<br /><br />need a year to secure<br />high blood pressure<br />sickle cell<br />diabetes and aids<br />to be told that my brain<br />is smaller than most<br />wash dishes<br />clean toilets<br /><br />refrain<br /><br />need a year to honor<br />the ace of spades<br />stand on corners<br />push drugs pot and pills<br />get welfare and food stamps<br />be single and poor<br />join a gang<br />learn to<br />pilfer and steal<br /><br />to<br />exhaust all my savings<br />estrange my white friends<br />donate all my finery<br />and jewels<br />void my accomplishments<br />distance achievements<br />in short<br />to make me<br />more like you<br /><br />give me a year<br />to practice the lies<br />to make all your falsehoods<br />come true<br />to drop out of school<br />quit a well paying job<br />sell my home in the burbs<br />next to yours<br /><br />28 days just won’t do it<br />need a year to turn back the tide<br />or you<br />can enlighten<br />yourself and your friends<br />on the truths of Black History<br />Black Pride. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-43272144240135314802012-01-17T00:56:00.001-06:002012-01-17T00:59:11.783-06:00OCCUPY TULSA – PROTECTING THE DREAMOCCUPY TULSA – PROTECTING THE DREAM<br /><br />His dream is our democratic awakening<br />Through peaceful demonstration we celebrate the man<br />Inspired by his principles and teachings<br />In the spirit of his dream we make our stand<br /><br />His message for jobs is our message<br />His war opposition our theme<br />His belief in social justice and equality<br />the root of our movements beliefs<br /><br />The quality of humanity stands threatened<br />wealth inequality eradicates our core<br />Our middle class drifts into large black holes<br />As starvation wages despoil<br /><br />The poorest of poor grow poorer<br />While corporations as people grow rich<br />Political undertones rape voter rights<br />Inequality in education still exists<br /><br />Race has no place in American rights and laws<br />Poverty has no right to our shores<br />Disproportion can no longer bulldoze our dreams<br />Imbalance won’t pillage our core<br /><br />His movement is now our movement<br />His message of resolution our text<br />We occupy for jobs peace and freedom<br />We occupy for equality and truth<br /><br />He marched for economic justice<br />We occupy to flush corporate greed<br />Void violence he marched for freedom and peace<br />Void violence we occupy for change<br /><br /><br />By: Shirley Howard HallAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-78918739371412036822011-07-01T11:05:00.002-05:002011-07-01T11:08:44.108-05:00THE PLEDGETHE PLEDGE<br /><br />I pledge allegiance to the nation that was,<br />To my forefather's plan for a democratic ride.<br />To "We the People", to "Fourscore and Seven"<br />To the liberty bell's underground.<br /><br />And to the violent republic for which we stood,<br />(The one that took innocent lives.)<br />To Viet Nam, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Sudan<br />(We are told it's for freedom they die.)<br /><br />One nation under God has changed a bit,<br />The umbrella's tilted south,<br />Instead of interring the blacks and the reds,<br />We're attacking the bronze and the brown.<br /><br />Indivisible with liberty we stand our ground,<br />Inequality and separatism abide.<br />Our blue collar heroes die wrongful deaths,<br />While our white collar leaders survive.<br /><br />And justice for all is a thing of the past,<br />No more room for the tired and the poor.<br />Lady Liberty's light shines dimmer now,<br />Humbled masses seek alternate shores<br /><br />In spite of the path we aimlessly tread,<br />We are still one man one vote.<br />It still reads, "We the people",<br />It still says "In God We Trust".<br /><br />So I pledge allegiance to liberty and justice<br />And "to the republic for which it stands."(¹)<br />To "one nation under God indivisible." (¹)<br />Every child, every woman, every man.<br /><br />I pledge to stand up for the red, white and blue<br />To prove that our banner yet waves.<br />To endlessly fight for freedom and peace<br />In this land we call free, we call brave. <br /> <br /><br />(¹)"Pledge of Allegiance"<br /><br /><em>From the book: "ONE DAY" by Shirley Howard Hall</em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-31944680600521539372011-06-26T22:53:00.001-05:002011-06-26T23:07:43.644-05:00DIABOLICAL MASS<div align="center">DIABOLICAL MASS<br /><br />Satan stages his murderous cry<br />agents of genocide rise and comply<br />rapist, slayers, predators, whores<br />permeate Darfur’s shores.<br /><br />Pray to your demons of high and low<br />follow your leaders wherever they go<br />the snake of death, the weapon of choice<br />in their screams and pains rejoice.<br /><br />Now reap and weed revelations joys<br />rape and molest young girls and boys<br />transcend nations both near and far<br />despoil wreck and pillage Darfur.<br /><br />Disregard governments, armies, and clans<br />snub out the glorified fife and drum bands<br />there’ll be no resisters to stay the attack<br />federations ignore black on black.<br /><br />Fight within Satan’s reach and control<br />board the stage and play the role<br />make savage love to the mad and wild<br />be blessed with Satan’s child.<br /><br />Evil surely doth dwell within<br />sin is often ones closest friend<br />dance upon iniquity’s star<br />their bodies and souls to mar.<br /><br />SAVE DARFUR<br /><br />©2007Shirley </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-19967704085357749032011-04-17T15:18:00.011-05:002011-06-26T22:53:39.214-05:00DEPORTED<div align="center">DEPORTED<br /><br />illicitly<br />you eradicated my very existence<br />divested me of all<br />that was good in my life<br />amputated my freedoms<br />pilfered my citizenship<br />labeled me terrorist<br />radical activist<br />deported me vicariously<br /><br />in the name<br />of homeland security<br />you<br />confiscated my happiness<br />smitten my wife and child<br />exiled and forsaken me<br />to a land I’ve never seen<br />to a tongue I’ve never spoken<br /><br />I patriot<br />wartime veteran<br />born upon the humbled shores<br />of this great nation<br />did I not fret the drudgery<br />of your illegal wars<br />slave within the<br />bowels of your blackened mines<br />does my man-child not<br />bear the names<br />of your great leaders<br /><br />I beg thee<br />in the name<br />of homeland security<br /><br />rip the breath<br />from my asbestos filled lungs<br />singe the lesions from<br />my cancerous skeleton<br />bash this skull<br />of post-traumatic disorders<br /><br />for<br />the gates of hell<br />are far more beguiling<br />than to be labeled terrorist<br />exiled and deported<br />to a land<br />I’ve never seen<br />to a tongue<br />I’ve never spoken<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-62405253011561305482010-12-10T19:37:00.000-06:002010-12-10T19:40:41.391-06:00DESPOILED<div align="center">DESPOILED<br /><br />Youthful fluids rush<br />her aging body<br />immoral pleasures storm<br />her evil soul<br />wickedness bestows<br />an inapt darkness<br />lustful forces<br />grasp engage control<br /><br />Iniquities flaunt<br />deities of satan<br />a naked boy<br />a sullied bathroom floor<br />for love of teacher<br />educator mentor<br />a virgin’s sperm<br />a classroom savvy whore<br /><br />A cold forbidding sky<br />now in the making<br />blood drenched and bruised<br />a young boy heads for home<br />in lieu of love<br />compassion, understanding<br />he’s left adrift<br />and raped<br />he’s all alone<br /><br />©2008Shirley<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-92067070685604899652010-12-10T19:34:00.000-06:002010-12-10T19:36:34.828-06:00TRAFFICKED<div align="center">TRAFFICKED<br /><br />Be still my love<br /><br />the pain shall pass<br />as pleasures bliss<br />beguiles you to<br />my side<br /><br />your painful cries<br />will hypnotize<br />as threats of death<br />subside<br /><br />I’ve killed you once<br />my precious<br /><br />I’ll kill you yet again<br /><br />you’ll die<br />a thousand deaths<br />and more<br />before this madness ends<br /><br />be still my slave<br />my puppet<br /><br />we’re doing this my way<br /><br />spread wide your legs<br />and smile –<br /><br />that’s right<br /><br />I speak and you obey<br /><br />©2007Shirley </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-37167490195821755762010-12-10T19:27:00.000-06:002010-12-10T19:33:36.216-06:00STILL NO CHANGE<div align="center">STILL NO CHANGE<br /><br />I feel your fingers<br />gently maneuvering<br />along my inner thigh,<br />warm against my brand<br />new cotton gown.<br /><br />No! Not again!<br /><br />I’ll tell this time<br />I swear I will.<br /><br />Everyone will know<br />and you will die!<br /><br />Loving hands fondle<br />my never touch place,<br />hard knuckles stroking back<br />and forth, in and out,<br />making me sad all over,<br /><br />I’ll cry this time,<br />they’ll see the tears<br />I swear they will.<br /><br />Everyone will know<br />and you will die!<br /><br />Passionately your tongue presses hard<br />against my dried and broken lips,<br />ripping and tearing with<br />every thrust,<br /><br />I can scream<br />I know I can,<br />Someone will hear me<br />they’ve got to hear me,<br /><br />Stop! Please stop!<br />I’ll tell this time<br />I swear I will.<br /><br />Everyone will know<br />and you will die!<br /><br />Sounds,<br />voices in the hall,<br />I hear them,<br />they are coming<br />they will stop you!<br /><br />They’ll see my tears,<br />they’ll hear my screams,<br /><br />Everyone will know<br />and you will die!<br /><br />“Good morning ma’am”<br /><br />“Good morning and<br />how is she today?”<br /><br />“still no change ma’am,<br />still no change.”<br /><br />©2007Shirley </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-73664155556752989152010-11-12T23:41:00.000-06:002010-11-12T23:43:24.802-06:00THE MUSEUMTHE MUSEUM<br /><br />Bodies beguiled and hung on darkened vintage<br />death epitomized in hand carved wooden frames<br />models of planes contrived for powerful killing<br />chronicled weapons laid out on display<br /><br />visions of Auschwitz flaunt Stuthof and Dresden<br />discerning history’s genocidal flares<br />inferring history’s blatant incarnations<br />killing machine descendents feign ensnared<br /><br />tyrants evince pride through social bondage<br />labor intensive servitudes inflame<br />governments endue a sullied freedom<br />slavery hovels death’s surmised disdain<br /><br />archeologists tell our gruesome story<br />photographers expose our flagrant wars<br />Africa, Europe, North and South America<br />museums collect the ugliness of it all<br /><br />curators brandish genocide’s repugnance<br />patrons lexical genocidal pains<br />artist flaunt the history of our lineage<br />a chattel sold, an economical gain<br /><br />lessons learned abstain from social justice<br />no captured joy amidst the archived pain<br />atrocities now pictures hung for viewing<br />museums foretell our lessons learned in vainAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-74238973921761773682010-10-12T09:58:00.000-05:002010-10-12T10:00:32.540-05:00BARTERED<div align="center">BARTERED<br /><br />hunger diminishes me<br />thirst demurs my thinking<br />the life I tote astounds my frame<br />defiles my craved existence<br /><br />upon this block I bargain<br />my soul inflamed in shame<br />two arms two legs a beating heart<br />for barter sale or trade<br /><br />need I de-school my life for you<br />sodden in filth and shame<br />striped of essence and being<br />my famines on display<br /><br />this vast judicial hellhole<br />is all I have to give<br />the land and people that I love<br />beheaded, raped and killed<br /><br />the blanket is included<br />I wove the yarn by hand<br />he’s got no Aids or HIV<br />he’ll grow to be a man<br /><br />my solitary jewel<br />ten toes on tiny feet<br />to wet the stench upon my tongue<br />for bread a square of meat<br /><br />I do not thrive I won’t survive<br />militias rule my land<br />I’m traumatized and hungry<br />my crisis is my stand<br /><br />upon this block I bargain<br />my soul inflamed in shame<br />two arms two legs a beating heart<br />for barter, sale or trade </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-80746994720994605272010-10-03T23:16:00.000-05:002010-10-03T23:26:06.547-05:00REVOKED<div align="center">REVOKED<br /><br />We ask you kindly to leave this place<br />We no longer want you around.<br />Your chiefs and leaders equivocate<br />Our authority remains propound.<br /><br />Your armies harass and pilfer<br />Your security teams rape and kill.<br />You’re holding no one accountable<br />For the blood my people spill.<br /><br />This is the place our forefathers braved<br />Where thousands of ancestors died.<br />You destroyed everything they accomplished<br />With your browbeating, loathing and lies.<br /><br />In the midst of our political crisis<br />Statewide resolution absconds.<br />Our leaders are wadding the waters<br />As our tribes and our clans slowly drown.<br /><br />Is my parliament made up of puppets<br />Controlled by your margins and bounds,<br />Whilst your coalition provisional pundit<br />Remains unabashed and profound?<br /><br />Don’t sell me your internal hearings<br />Your assessment’s no more than a ruse.<br />This is my country my homeland<br />To hell with your canons and views.<br /><br />Everywhere people are dying<br />Our civil war isn’t a joke.<br />This bloodbath you created is over<br />Your license has been revoked.<br /><br />From "ONE DAY; Life, Love and Controversy in Middle America<br />by SHIRLEY HOWARD HALL </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-77366147381002626762010-09-25T02:57:00.000-05:002010-09-25T03:08:43.525-05:00ADULTERY<div align="center">Where were we meant to be<br />in the yesterdays of our lives?<br />is fate so fragile that time alone<br />has changed our course?<br /><br />in love we came together,<br />open hearts and anxious minds.<br />in inert reprisal we grew apart,<br />open hearts and anxious minds.<br /><br />nostalgia now surrounds us<br />in this subtle place and time.<br />whilst waves of fury entrenched within<br />are eating our souls alive.<br /><br />does life offer no more than rampage?<br />does fate protect the enraged heart?<br />must our lives belong to someone else?<br />are we void dignity, void pride?<br /><br />where were we meant to be<br />in the yesterdays of our lives?<br />in love you blindly took my hand<br />I held your heart in mine.<br /><br /><br />©ONE DAY; Life, Love and Controversy in Middle America 2008<br />by Shirley Howard Hall</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-83636309191228689362010-09-11T15:08:00.000-05:002010-09-11T15:12:47.023-05:00MISSIONERPoverty overwhelms me<br />garbage makes me spew<br />my body pangs, my stomach aches<br />I’m indigent, cold and crude<br /><br />your bibles are a blessing<br />yet reading is a chore<br />when your illiterate, cold and hungry<br />and sleeping on a floor<br /><br />your angels are angelic<br />in their omnipotent shades of white<br />yet I’m the shade of ashes<br />and demons rein my nights<br /><br />I roam the streets of cities<br />I’m vagabond and whore<br />society looks down on me<br />your churches lock their doors<br /><br />I’ll be your pure of spirit<br />I’ll sing a hymn or two<br />just bring some bread and water<br />old clothes a pair of shoes<br /><br />your kingdom of heaven awaits you<br />your meek shall inherit the earth<br />you’ll rejoice and revile in your reward<br />for you are the salt of this earth<br /><br />yet you don’t understand my fortitude<br />or acknowledge poverty’s pain<br />you turn your back when I appear<br />you fear my touch might stain<br /><br />teach me the ancient scriptures<br />we’ll pray for me and you<br />then drag a box beneath a bridge<br />one big enough for two.<br /><br />From the book "LISTEN"<br />by Shirley Howard HallAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-53593880788318522342009-10-15T16:35:00.000-05:002010-09-11T15:14:11.755-05:00WORKLESS<div align="center">I miss your </div><div align="center">morning greetings</div><div align="center">rewards </div><div align="center">throughout my day</div><div align="center">the challenges </div><div align="center">your scripts impose </div><div align="center">the benefits you paid</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />bestowing incentives </div><div align="center">for bonus</div><div align="center">rewarding each year </div><div align="center">with a raise</div><div align="center">enriching each hour</div><div align="center">perfecting each task</div><div align="center">applauding my genius</div><div align="center">through praise</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />all I could be</div><div align="center">you challenged</div><div align="center">you broadened my outlook</div><div align="center">my views</div><div align="center">provided food, clothing,</div><div align="center">and shelter </div><div align="center">my dreams and ambitions</div><div align="center">infused</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />in a world of global recession</div><div align="center">at the realm of depression and gloom</div><div align="center">my career, my job, my future </div><div align="center">all gone</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">laid-off </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />andI miss it</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><br />©Shirley2009</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-6374582727274885722009-06-06T22:26:00.001-05:002009-10-15T17:02:38.635-05:00VOWS<div align="center">In holy matrimony<br />poverty rapes me<br />to have and to hold<br />in rancid tent cities<br />cold hungry and seething<br />in rat tainted alleys<br />I human it demon<br />at hells bleeding door<br /><br />for better for worse<br />an ineffable darkness<br />in spirals of nakedness<br />sickness and health<br />in ribbons of hopelessness<br />women and children<br />in shelters on breadlines<br />as poverty’s whores<br /><br />for richer for poorer<br />to loathe and admonish<br />lead paint and malaria<br />I pledge thee my troth<br />before god and witness<br />damn poverty’s vision<br />forsaking all others<br />damn poverty’s fame<br /><br />in nuptial repugnance<br />privation consumes me<br />my rodent gnawed fingers<br />it brands with this ring<br />now begging on street corners<br />rummaging dump sites<br />now wed and impoverished<br />I whore in its name</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-47527601745983829092009-03-21T18:57:00.000-05:002009-10-15T17:05:51.685-05:00SIRE<div align="center">daddy believes in me<br />loves me with incest<br />grinding and gifts<br />from rich people stores<br /><br />in morning time sunshine<br />like teacher in evening<br />like uncle at bedtime<br />on cold bathroom floors<br /><br />his little princess<br />her perfect angel<br />his favorite niece<br />in pretty pink bows<br /><br />despoilers of spirit<br />they defile and abuse me<br />in secretive places<br />so no one will know<br /><br />that my daddy loves me<br />with unlawful fervor<br />like uncle at bedtime<br />his own little whore<br /><br />©Shirley2009</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-84752514836255926162009-03-15T03:15:00.000-05:002009-10-15T17:07:34.026-05:00DEPORTED<div align="center">DEPORTED<br /><br />illicitly<br />you eradicated my very existence<br />divested me of all<br />that was good in my life<br />amputated my freedoms<br />pilfered my citizenship<br />labeled me terrorist<br />radical activist<br />deported me vicariously<br /><br />in the name<br />of homeland security<br />you<br />confiscated my happiness<br />smitten my wife and child<br />exiled and forsaken me<br />to a land I’ve never seen<br />to a tongue I’ve never spoken<br /><br />I patriot<br />wartime veteran<br />born upon the humbled shores<br />of this great nation<br />did I not fret the drudgery<br />of your illegal wars<br />slave within the<br />bowels of your blackened mines<br />does my man-child not<br />bear the names<br />of your great leaders<br /><br />I beg thee<br />in the name<br />of homeland security<br /><br />rip the breath<br />from my asbestos filled lungs<br />singe the lesions from<br />my cancerous skeleton<br />bash this skull<br />of post-traumatic disorders<br /><br />for<br />the gates of hell<br />are far more beguiling<br />than to be labeled terrorist<br />exiled and deported<br />to a land<br />I’ve never seen<br />to a tongue<br />I’ve never spoken</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">©Shirley2009</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1341803297105747254.post-28428312895375050372009-03-15T01:30:00.000-05:002013-02-07T12:05:39.916-06:00BLIND OF EYE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center">
BLIND OF EYE<br />
<br />
I’m so much more<br />
than the shell you see<br />
<br />
this outer coating that<br />
terrifies the prejudice<br />
and unnerves the boorish<br />
<br />
penchant of spirit<br />
pristine at birth<br />
ancestry catalogued<br />
the medley of hues<br />
your eyes behold<br />
your heart admonishes<br />
<br />
blind of eye you are my friend<br />
<br />
yet in sight you censure<br />
passion’s wrought<br />
exact a chide for melanin<br />
I did not choose<br />
tribes inborn I dare<br />
to cuddle<br />
<br />
hatred lies within your<br />
dogma of injustice<br />
bigotry preys upon your string<br />
of racial cries<br />
<br />
blind of eye my friend<br />
we’re of his choosing<br />
penchant of spirit<br />
pristine at birth<br />
he made us all</div>
<div align="center">
<br />
©Shirley2009</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06487888248837659570noreply@blogger.com0