Close Your Mouth!
close your mouth!
if a man is hungry,
feed him!
if a man is sick,
give him medical care.
if a man is homeless,
take him in.
if your leaders demand war,
vote them out,
or overthrow them.
if your system is unjust,
tear it down and start over.
if any other person,
regardless of color, politics,
religion, or sexual orientation,
comes to you...
respect them!
if they come to in in need,
help them.
if they are oppressed,
free them!
mouth still closed?
then your path is true!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
The Same As I
i get so tired
of writing poems
about suffering....
but everywhere i look,
all around me,
people are hurting....
and try as i might,
i cant close my eyes,
cant shut my ears up
to the sounds of need and want.
and i cannot be silent
as long as there's one person
who is not free,
one person whose rights
have been violated....
one person who is hungry,
one person who is homeless,
one person sick who cannot
get medical care....
one person abused, enslaved,
or treated like property...
i cannot, and i will not stop,
for they are the same
as i... i see their faces
every time i look in the mirror!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Battle.... (We Have Fought)
the battle we have fought for so long,
as a 'free' society...
in the name of justice, equality, diversity,
responsibility, and freedom...
has reached the point of decision.
we either move forward no matter
what the cost...
believing the dream is worth the price...
or we crawl back into the cave
of self-fulfillment at the cost of all others.
prejudice and discrimination have gone from color
to religion to sex and sexual orientation,
and now to those enslaved by poverty.
we cannot turn our backs on each other...
we cannot allow the few to destroy the world.
we are responsible, we are a part of each other.
when one is hungry, we are all hungry.
when one family is homeless, we are all homeless.
when one person is a victim
of prejudice, hatred, and injustice...
we all are!
when one eats, all should eat.
when one has a chance to work,
all should have that chance...
when one child gets an education,
all should have that right.
this is the time, and this is the place...
it is now that we must choose!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Free!
free!
free to be hungry!
free to be homeless!
free to be underpaid!
or worse, free to be unemployed.
free to be sick without care!
free to be the object of racial prejudice.
free to be oppressed by the 'haves'!
free to be subjugated to unholy wars!
free to be lied to!
free to be used!
free to be American!
free!
'freedom's just another word
for nothing left to lose! '
kris kristofferson
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Truth And Justice...
we do not go to war to protect freedom,
we go to war to buy and sell the free
for the profit of the machine...
do you want a just war?
keep kicking people out of their houses,
taking their jobs, destroying their familes,
and leaving their children hungry...
keep banning books, taking away individual
rights.... keep putting you hand on the common....
and they will rise, and overthrow you!
violence is the wrong answer...
but if you push a peaceful man in a corner,
and abuse his family, he will come out fighting!
you cannot continue to enslave by skin color, religion,
sexual orientation, political views, or economic
status....
too many people see the lie...
too many people are sick of the lie....
and the people you've fooled into fighting
each other, into hating each other...
will join together, and take back their dignity...
hunger cuts through illusion, and demands an answer.
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Respect!
respect...
for all sacred traditions,
for every political viewpoint,
for every color of skin...
for every walk of life,
for sexual orientation...
respect equal for male and female....
respect for respect given!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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It Begins Right Now!
we live in the most intense time
that the modern world has seen...
governments and economies are
caving from within... the very
air we breathe is polluted, the
water we drink has been defiled.
sea life is being destroyed, and
the world food situation worsens
at an alarming rate... millions
live and die in poverty, millions
are homeless, without medical care...
masses of workers are unemployed,
children grow up on the streets
without hope, and end up in prison.
human rights are being violated,
or just plain taken. and people
are absolutely afraid of each other!
we have closed our eyes, and numbed
our souls for too long. now we stand
on the brink of disaster, and we're
forced to wake up!
so what can one person do? one person
can live in a way that stands for truth...
one person can demand freedom, and equality.
one person can reach out a helping hand...
and when one person daring to live becomes
millions, we can move the stone from the
mouth of the cave!
but it all begins with one person... and
it begins right now, or its too damned late!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Dance Naked #2
pull back the curtains,
tear down the walls!
open the forbidden door,
break the egg, and fly!
hold the child dying
of cholera in your lap.
wash the feet of the leper,
wipe the old man's ass...
kiss the cheek of the boy
who hung himself.
pick up the homeless man,
feed him, take him to a shelter.
clean the old woman's house,
help the single mom with her kids.
pick up the prostitute on the corner,
and offer to take her home!
take the gun away from
the boy strung out on dope.
take the preacher's donation
and give it to the soup kitchen!
plant a tree, plant a garden
leave your car at home, and walk!
give an illegal immigrant some work,
and pay him well!
read the Bible for yourself,
pray with people of different faiths.
take God off of the altar,
and be compassionate action!
feed the hungry, heal the sick,
free the oppressed!
stand in the face of life...
bare your teeht, and howl!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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I don't judge people by their sexual orientation or the color of their skin, so I find it really hard to identify someone by saying that they're a gay person or a black person or a Jewish person.
quote by Diana Ross
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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In Every Way!
how many people are blind?
how many people are deaf?
how many by choice?
perhaps you still have jobs,
homes, food to eat, medical care.
perhaps you have investments,
a way to retire....
perhaps your family is happy,
and well taken care of...
i hope so for you!
millions of people hurting,
millions in need...
millions of children hungry,
millions who cant get an education.
millions enslaved by poverty,
millions left alone....
people with faces and names.
all of these are normal people.
whatever their language, their religion,
their sexual orientation.
all of these are people just like you.
and many of these have families,
just like you!
is it their fault they're victims?
perhaps they've worked their whole lives.
male, female, young, old.....
all people,
with mothers and fathers....
all people....
and no, America is not free.
the news we watch is tainted.
the truth is hidden from us.
killing people around the world
does not make us free....
books are being banned and burned,
prejudice and discrimination are rampant.
we have forgotten we are responsible for each other,
we have forgotten we are all immigrants here.
there are no illegal people,
all people are just people.
freedom demands equality,
in every way!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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From The Desk Of... A Renegade Socialist
WE THE PEOPLE,
..and all living beings
....on the earth...
demand fairness,
equality, shared dignity,
and a just dispersion
of all needed goods....
having the desire
and the fortitude
to work and to give
as readily as we take!
believing that all life is sacred,
and should be treated as such!
and that the only true success
feeds every hungry mouth!
daring to respect each other,
and so be respected!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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We Make These Choices!
who makes the choices
that change the world?
that decide who eats,
who has shelter,
who has medical care?
the choices...
whether or not to bomb,
whether to pull the trigger.
whether to see that justice is done,
or to turn the head,
and walk away...
whether to accept
people for who they are,
and what they are...
whether to stand up
for the other person's rights,
the other person's beliefs,
the other person's way of life...
whether to walk in dignity,
and respect,
or to take at all costs.
we make these choices,
each of us every moment
of every day.
what we do or dont do,
say or dont say,
give or dont give,
changes the world!
actions and inaction,
hidden thoughts and feelings,
who we vote for,
and whether we vote...
whether we're willing
to share what we have...
we change the world,
moment by moment...
for better, or worse?
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Vote For Me
Vote for me, vote for me
I want the nomination for the presidency
Vote for me, vote for me
If I am elected, this is how it will be
Ill cut your tax in half
Ill make the russians laugh
Ill feed the hungry people everywhere
Ill bring the railroads back
New trains and new track
From waikiki to old deleware
Vote for me, vote for me
I want the nomination for the presidency
Vote for me, vote for me
If I am elected, this is how it will be
Ill give detroit one year
New cars that run on beer
Or anything except gasoline
Im looking to the sun
More power for everyone
And the cleanest sky that youve ever seen
Im not going to kid you, theres a lot to do
Little can I promise, its really up to you
But if we all work together
And I think we can
And if you want some new ideas
Then Im your man
Vote for me, vote for me
I want the nomination for the presidency
Vote for me, vote for me
If I am elected, this is how it will be
Ill work for global peace
And the sweet release
Of the love and human kindness in us all
I would give all Ive got
You just give me a shot
Somehow, I know that I can win the fall
song performed by by Chicago
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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As Simple As That!
the bottom line is...
until we realize that
people are just people,
regardless of race, religion,
or sexual orientation...
that one person is worth just
as much as any other...
that money, or the lack of,
does not define a person,
and that we are all responsible
for each other, and to each other...
we will never be able to fix
the world's problems,
and never be able to build a tomorrow!
it's as simple as that!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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To The American People
common sense solutions:
tax the wealthy.
tax corporations and financial institutions.
put a tariff on imports.
go back to building things here.
get behind the American farmers.
grow as much of your own food as you can.
raise the minimum wage.
change from oil addiction to alternative fuels.
stop the damn wars.
feed every child!
give every child equal education opportunities.
stop prescribing narcotic pills like m & m's.
take money out of the courtrooms.
let anyone live here that works and contributes.
teach your children respect.
teach them to read.
teach them to work.
make health insurance a part of your taxes,
on a percentage basis where it's fair to all.
give everyone equal health care.
take care of the aged and the disabled.
but people that can work need to work!
fight for the environment for our children's sakes.
quit fighting over religion, politics, and sexual orientation.
restore human dignity by equal rights, equal justice.
stop judging, and start affirming.
pay politicians minimum wage!
clean up the street gangs and the prisons...
put prisoners to work, and educate them!
stop building bombs and armies,
and rebuild this country...
the roads, the cities, the factories...
put people back to work!
stop spraying crops with harmful chemicals
and feeding animals antibiotics
that are dangerous...
and pay teachers like they have the most
impotant job in the world...
they do!
teaching your children!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Mouth
You gave me this
made me give
your silver grin
still sticking it in
you have soul machine
soul machine
the longest kiss
peeling furniture days
drift madly to you
pollute my heart drain
you have broken at me
broken me
all your mental armor drags me down
nothing hurts like your mouth
your loaded smiles
pretty just desserts
wish it all for you
so much it never hurts
you have soul machine
stone at me
all your mental armor drags me down
we can't breathe when you come around
all your mental armor drags me down
nothing hurts like your mouth mouth
mouth
your mouth mouth mouth
your mouth mouth mouth
we've been missing long before
never found our way home
we've been missing long before
where we'll find our way
you gave me this
made me give
you have soul machine
broken free
all your mental armor drags me down
we can't breathe when you come around
all your mental armor drags me down
nothing hurts like your mouth mouth
mouth
your mouth mouth mouth
your mouth mouth mouth
all your mental armor
all your mental armor
and your mouth
mouth
song performed by by Bush from Razorblade Suitcase
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Lovely Medic
i am not
drowning
she applies
mouth to mouth
resuscitation
i am not
dying
i have much air
in my lungs
but i am not the
kind of person
that refuses
a nice
offer
so here we go
again
mouth to mouth.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Candle
if we lit a candle tonite
for every child that's hungry,
for every family that's homeless,
for every drug addict without hope,
for every soldier fighting
in an unholy war
for every immigrant
fighting for a chance,
for every prisoner
that becomes a victim
of the system.
for every victim
of violent crimes.
for every husband and wife
who cant find their way,
and give up and walk away.
for every child with a disability
that doesnt get a fair chance.
for every child that grows up
without a father or mother.
for every person who feels
deserted by God.
for every person afraid
to be who they are
for every victim of prejudice,
whether it be racial, religious,
or sexual.
for every person alone,
without hope or direction.
we'd have a fire so bright
it'd light the universe.
the fire of compassion.
warming the feet of humanity!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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What Color Is....
what color is broke?
broke down, busted,
aint got a dime...
broke!
what color is hungry?
does it have a language
known only to empty bowls?
what color is homeless?
does it keep the body
warm in the night?
does anybody give a damn?
what color is jobless?
does it redeem the thief
that breaks out the window,
moving with silent desperation?
and what color is alone?
can anybody hear?
does anybody really give a damn?
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Those issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.
quote by Tony Campolo
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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To accept passively an unjust system is to cooperate with that system thereby the oppressed become the oppressor.