Then I Will Abide...
when justice no longer has a color,
and is not defined by economic status,
religious or sexual preference,
then i will abide by your laws!
when freedom is as real in the alleys,
the dumpsters, and on the streets
as it is in your brick houses,
then i will believe in your freedom.
when all men and women,
of all colors and ages,
are treated with equal dignity
and with respect,
then i will stand for your equality.
when each of you can look
into the eyes of your neighbor,
and see God...
then i will abide in your humanity!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Related quotes
You Cannot Tell Me!
you cannot tell me
that freedom sees color,
religion, or financial status.
you cannot tell me
that freedom divides
between classes.
you cannot tell me
that freedom is for the few,
and not for the many.
you cannot tell me
that freedom can be bought,
sold, or traded.
you cannot tell me
that freedom can be won
by destroying innocent lives.
you cannot tell me
that freedom invades other countries
for political or economic reasons.
you cannot tell me
that freedom exists without justice.
you cannot tell me
that freedom is out of reach!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Freedom Doesnt
freedom doesnt starve it's children,
freedom doesnt sell it's people into slavery.
freedom doesnt see skin color,
doesnt always speak english.
freedom doesnt have one religion.
freedom doesnt choose sexual preference.
freedom doesnt regulate love.
freedom doesnt trade joblessness for profit.
freedom doesnt take your home.
freedom doesnt create reservations, slums,
and low rent trailer parks.
freedom doesnt ban books.
freedom doesnt invade and conquer.
freedom doesnt trade blood for oil.
freedom doesnt imprison those it cannot use.
freedom doesnt live by the lie.
freedom doesnt have different levels of justice,
depending on how much money you have.
freedom doesnt abandon it's elderly.
freedom doesnt turn away the sick.
freedom doesnt kill in the name of god.
freedom doesnt lie about the past.
damn it to hell!
this doesnt smell like freedom!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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A Real Man!
when a man
is no longer treated
as a man...
no longer respected
as a man...
then a real man
stands up,
and stops it!
the first word in humanity
is human...
the second word is man!
both equal dignity...
and both demand freedom!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Notes From Freedom's Heart
i spend a lot of my time writing
about freedom, dignity, and equality....
using a lot of different forms, just
trying to be heard....
but i've come to the understanding
that whether i write it, sing i, play it
on guitar, paint it, dance it, or write
it on signs and march it.....
doesnt matter!
what matters is whether i live it!
when i can look into another human being's
eyes and not see color, gender, religious
or political idealogies, or sexual preference...
when i know that their mistakes and failures
are my own... that there is no difference
between us... that we have the same needs
and desires... and that we need each other.....
when i'm willing to listen, to offer a hand up, willing
to work and walk beside of (not in front of!) ....
when my thoughts, words, and actions reflect a deep
reverence and respect for all that lives....
when my choices validate humanity.....
when i can see without judging... when i'm
willing to speak the truth at all costs....
to give all that i have, and all that i am,
regardless of the risk....
when my own life matters less to me than
the lives of those i come in contact with....
when i'm willing to stand up for what's right,
for compassion, and for hope... even if it
costs me my own life....
then, and only then, i will have become
the poem i've tried all of my life to write...
then and only then, i will have become
fully human.... and will have answered the call
that we all have....
will i continue to write? yes!
but day by day, moment by moment....
i'll keep working!
will you join me?
poem by Eric Cockrell
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On the Innate Drive For What is Right
As life bled, martyrdom flared its buds.
Repression, red from irritation,
Rendered chinks and cracks; but thuds of
Armament - in cowardice - accomplice of the
Dictatorial blight thro' countless years -
Wreaked its retribution:
Yet hope began to bloom a coloured carapace
Enshrining their allegiance ‘gainst the
Terror in their tears.
And on! Splits yawned - breaches in the junta:
Flesh fought fanatical minds -
Bullets welcomed into open hands
And blessed with yearnings for morality:
Chiselled man-toys of death and mutilation
Couldn't repel the might of freedom
Surging at the bright horizon.
Crepuscular rays of purpose, body,
Flooded pandemonium with
Overwhelming clarity, direction -
Burdened clouds drifting wayward as the
Light channelled out a vision,
Intensifying focus on tomorrow -
Deepen their stride
As they home in to
What is theirs,
Rightfully theirs!
Copyright © Mark R Slaughter 2011
The reign of justice and freedom
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
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freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
justice justice justice justice justice justice justice justice
freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom freedom
poem by Mark R Slaughter
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What Color? (Hope)
what color
was the dust
from which the stars
were made?
what color is the hunger
written on the child's face?
what color is justice,
forgiveness, desire, truth?
what color is the wind....
the rain, gravity,
and knowledge?
what color is equality?
what color is freedom?
what color is eternity?
what color is redemption?
what color is God?
what color were the nails
that hung Jesus on the cross?
what color was enlightenment
falling on the Buddha as he sat
'neath that tree?
what color is prejudice, hatred,
fear, greed, apathy.....
what color your skin?
nay, what color is your blood?
and what color are the eyes
of humanity staring through the darkness?
and what color is hope?
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Real freedom
Franchise freedom sans political freedom,
Political freedom sans societal freedom,
Societal freedom sans economic freedom.
Economic freedom sans marital freedom,
Marital freedom sans sexual freedom
Is no freedom you grant women.
24.01.2002, Pakd
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
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Dignity Demands...
dignity demands...
i be who i am,
i stand for what i am,
and i do so with respect!
dignity demands...
i see others for who they are,
that i accept them for who they are,
and do so with respect!
dignity demands...
that i live freedom and equality,
bound by no man nor creed,
and that i live with respect.
dignity demands...
that i do this job,
of living and giving well...
knowing respect brings respect!
dignity demands...
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Privileges
Guaranteed Rights
Section Five
Affirmative Action Amendment
Specific Provision
Enforcement
Privileges to recognize
First Amendment rights
Freedom of Association
Freedom of Movement
Freedom of the Right to Privacy
Economic Rights
Judicial Enforcement
Eighth Amendment
Protection and Dignity
Of Human Person Outlaw Torture
Inherent Respect for Humanity
Fifth Amendment Provision
Goodwill!
Liberty, Justice and for All!
poem by Daphne Mia Bell
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Break Your Laws
when your laws
are applied and enforced
differently to people
according to their religious,
political, or sexual orientation...
when they by application
favor the rich over the poor,
the few over the many.
when they take away dignity,
and individual rights...
when they are used to abuse,
manipulate, and enslave...
when they are immoral,
unjust, and demeaning...
when they stand against freedom...
i will break your laws
with total commitment!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Bring The Sun
under the blade
of the Fascists
we stumble, and stand...
in the name of freedom,
equality, and justice,
eyes set on the goal...
human hands rebuilding
that which is broken and shattered...
believing that dignity
is not just a word!
the common man the hero,
no longer the pawn...
if a new day will dawn,
we must bring the sun!
Woody Guthrie,
we need you now!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Thoughts On Revolution.... (Number Two)
when we speak of revolution
we often speak of justice...
do we understand the concept?
justice has nothing to do with
class, religious beliefs, skin
color, or economic station...
it has nothing to do with revenge!
it cannot be used for political
purposes...
justice looks, smells, tastes, and
feels the same for all people!
justice is marked by a true sense
of equality.
doesnt sound like what we have now?
therein lies the reason for revolution...
it we dare to risk all for change,
we must do so to restore human dignity!
all people must have a chance... to live,
to love, to have shelter and work.
there can be no prejudice allowed!
it goes back to the beginning motion
of changing ourselves... that's where
the real revolution begins!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Jail Cells, And Poverty!
do jail cells demand certain colors?
do they smell like poverty?
are they the colleges of the hopeless?
or just a place to hide the fire
till the flame goes out?
does anybody want to be poor?
does anyone deserve to be poor?
who picks the judge?
who enforces the law...
the law passed by filthy rich politicians?
is God white?
how about Jesus or Buddha?
does He live in the suburbs?
what kind of car does He drive?
does He have servants of different colors?
and what is the final price of freedom?
not to mention equality,
and equal distribution of goods...
'red, yellow, black, and white...'
every color of poverty sucks!
whether man or woman,
young, old, or a child...
no human being was meant to be owned!
forced poverty and justice prejudiced
by color or economic stations...
are the last forms of slavery!
what will you do when
the oppressed rise as one,
and put you in the cells you built?
what will you learn,
what will you know?
and what will you smell like?
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Absolute Freedom
Freedom from within
Freedom to think beyond universe
Freedom from living up to other ideas or expectations
Freedom to stand against all odds
Freedom from gods will
Freedom from triumph and disaster
Freedom from democracy and aristocracy
Freedom from scams and scandals
Freedom from caste, creed and color
Freedom from meaning less dogma
Freedom from fear and hatred
Freedom from life and death
poem by Sunnieyd Inquilab
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Where's The Freedom And Justice?
where's the freedom and justice?
trapped behind bars
watching lightning fast cars
where's the freedom and justice?
why keep hope
when happiness pops like soap
where's the freedom and justice?
cant breathe
cant leave
where's the freedom and justice?
hate misery
hate mystery
where's the freedom and justice?
you get raped
get interviewed on tape
where's the freedom and justice?
goes to court
but his bad luck is not the unlucky sort
where's the freedom and justice?
he get's away
i like an idea that's revenge is a way!
where's the freedom and justice?
poem by Tesla Blackburn
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My Definition Of Freedom
what a simple word.
sweet to the lips yet costs to attain. Who amongst u is really free
Do u even know what it is to be free?
What is ur definition of freedom?
Is it being loose and giving ur body to anyone withiout consensus?
Then how do u percieve feeedom?
Is it despising morals, ethics, respect and correction?
Is that ur meaning of Freedom?
Let me break it down for u.
Freedom, my Freedom, our freedom. Freedom is knowing the extents to wich God went to save ur life but still have respect for humanity.
Freedom is knowing that u don live under law but grace and still cling to this grace.
Freedom is to know that ur records of wrongs have been erased but u still strive for perfecion.
Freedom, My Freedom, Our Freedom.
My freedom is not a vote.
My freedom is not a govt designed system and terminology but My Freedom is the son of God. My Freedom is he who overcame death.
My Freedom is he who was before the beggining began. Freedom My Freedom Our Freedom is Jesus.
poem by Mbaimbai Phathutshedzo
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The Cry
the cry for justice,
for human rights,
for equality, for
human dignity...
has never been louder!
Somalia!
Tibet!
Syria!
Israel!
Libya!
Haiti!
Russia!
China!
the United States
the right to work,
to eat, to housing,
to medical care,
to freedom of speech,
to religious freedom.....
the cry for the truth!
for positive change!
this world's in turmoil....
a new day is coming
no matter the cost!
poem by Eric Cockrell
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Justice And Equality.....
justice and equality...
two very human dreams,
and the hope that allows us
to bring children into the world!
cannot be defined by color,
nationality, religion, or sex...
cannot be regulated by class,
cannot be different for those
who have and those who have not...
cannot allow poverty,
cannot allow hunger,
cannot allow oppression...
to continue!
must be worked for...
everyone has a part,
everyone has a responsibility.
respect,
dignity,
hard work,
sharing of needs...
we are destined to be family.
nations are egos,
we are citizens of the world.
the man fighting to feed his family
across the ocean is your brother.
the ones you're dropping bombs on
are your children.
the ones you kill crossing the border
looking for hope have the faces of god.
justice and equality...
think about it!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Trouser Enthusiast
Feminism is my middle name,
For I fight for the right for female empowerment,
I don't like women being treated like second class citizens,
I want all women to have equal opportunities,
To live in the same community with the same rights,
I am glad women have the vote,
That there're female doctors, nurses, lawyers and the suchlike,
For I am a trouser enthusiast through and through,
But I am not butch, although I do wear lipstick,
For women shouldn't have to look like a girl,
Talk like a man and think like a woman,
Women should not have to change into something they're not,
But feminism has taken charge for the century just gone,
Women fighting for their social freedom and not allowing themselves,
To be treated like a sex object, for a woman isn't just a body:
A woman has a brain and deserves to be treated with respect,
Not to be treated in an inferior way,
And women have learnt to wear the trousers in the relationship,
And don't accept or tolerate abuse and won't allow themselves to be used,
For this is derogatory and the lowest of the low,
And all women, young and old, need to know,
That they deserve respect in any relationship and any violent man,
Needs to be kicked to the kerb and shown the door.
poem by Paula Glynn
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The We In I, The I In We!
thermal meltdown, final countdown,
democracy defines itself!
our own soldiers, we grow bolder,
chased by the ghosts of hell!
1st amendment,6th commandment,
freedom exacts a price.
national boundaries, personal boundaries,
mice become men, men become mice! .....
all men equal, all men free..
all men want their dignity.
freedom of choice, freedom to be....
the we in i, the i in we!
faceless jobless, hopeless homeless,
living hard on the streets.
selling pills, shotgun thrills,
gotta be quick on your feet.
hospitals turn away, old men dont pray,
got nothing left to lose.
gunshots, speed off, tag number, all's lost,
somebody pays the dues....
all men equal, all men free....
all men want their dignity.
freedom of choice, freedom to be...
the we in i, the i in we!
poem by Eric Cockrell
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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