En.Citatepedia^®.ro

From the Black Perspective

Why don't you write more from the 'Black' perspective?
Or the African-American point of view.
Perhaps from the 'Negro' in you.
You have several points of view,
From which to choose.
Why aren't your depictions more from this experience?

'You mean...
The isolation and pain? '

Yeasss.

'The oppression I've endured,
With little gain to claim? '

Oh! Yes, yes, yes!

'My feelings of discrimination,
Racism and hatred? '

Ooooohhh...Yesssss! Yes.

'That bitterness within me.
For being 'Black'?
And carrying it on my back.
With a torment that rips my soul? '

Oh, please. More, more, more.

'The hunger, the poverty.
The homelessness expressed...
Within my people that keeps us divided,
In a separateness?
The misery, the tears.
The sleeplessness for wishing to be white?
And the fears of being a Black man,
With no allies in sight? '

Oh...I feel your anguish!
So tragic.

'My need to tap dance to gain public acceptance?
Regardless of my burdens, tribulations and suffering? '

Please stop this.
You have driven me to tears.

'Well...
To answer your question,
I haven't given that much thought.
However...
When and if I change my mind,
I'll give you a call.
You seem to be more empathetic about that,
Than I am!
Nobody but me pays my bills.
And my creditors could care less,
How I sign my money orders or checks.
Like everybody else...
They just want to get paid.'

Is that it?

'That's it!
That's how I feel about it.
And I am free to complain and whin if I choose.
Just like you.'

Well...
Thanks anyway.
I was hoping for a deeper,
More 'probing' insight!
I'm writing a thesis for my doctorate.
And I was hoping you would co-operate,
With more venom.

'What are you seeking?
To be attacked? '

Oh, no.
Why?
Do I look as if I'm wishing to be seduced?

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Black and White

My world is black and white,
The colors I see is black and white,
Hold me tight,
Don’t let me go,
See the tears I have cried,
Listen to my cry,
Look into my eyes,
My world is black and white,
Cut my wrist,
Black my eyes,
Blacken these thoughts I think of,
Black and white is all I can see,
The tears is all I can feel,
Feel me fading away,
Watching myself falling apart,
Look deep into my eyes,
Can you see me,
Can you feel the pain I feel,
I don’t understand why I am feeling this sad,
All the moments that once we shared has faded away like others have,
I never did tried to see the beyond the black and white clouds,
I need to face what I have become,
I need to find my way back,
The black and white is all I can see and feel,
My world has been black and white.

poem by Jennifer Rondeau
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Two Different People

Two different people
Black people, white people
Black world, White world
A black person thinks different from the white people
White people thinks highly of himself
White people works very hard for his living
Black's are lazy
They don't want to work, they just want the money
You have to work for the money, they just don't get it
White people knows that there are no free ride in life
Black's want a free ride, there are no free ride in life
Nothing is free in life except for the air that you breathe
The white people have to be careful of what they say to the black People
Whatever you say to the black people if they don't like it they will say it Is discrimination
We can't understand them
They have a mind of their own
The white people are loving and caring
What about the black people?
Not a hope in hell
I don't want any part of the black world
The black world is not safe for me
So I rather stay in my white world where I feel safe
We can't trust them
The reason why there is violence in this world is because the black People cause it
Now they don't like it because they have to live with it
We want a safe world for our people
The black people don't care about it because the only thing they know And seen is violence
There is too much violence on TV
They like it
They like the feeling of danger
We white don't like the feeling of danger
The blacks hate the white people and the white people don't like them Either
The white people knows when to shut up
The black people never knows when to shut up
There is why there are always problem with them
They make life miserable for us
The white people will always be a good friend
The black people can never be your friend
They will take everything they can get from you for free

poem by Aldo Kraas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

You 'Have' To Notice It

Lets...
Discuss,
Racism.
And how it affects you daily.

'It doesn't.'

Comeon.
You have to notice it?

'I do.'

So...
You are affected.

'No.
I am not.'

Of course you are.
You are obviously black.
A black man.

'And? '

If I were black I would notice that.
Everywhere I would notice it.
Everywhere I went...
It would be on my mind.
In my consciousness.
I'd be full of resentment.
I wouldn't be able to sleep,
Knowing I stood out amongst all people.
I would feel insecure.
Emotionally tormented inside,
With wishes to be white.
I would be...

Are you done?

'Yes.
But I just wanted you to know,
How I would feel...
IF I were a black man.'

Sorry to disappoint you.
Perhaps my commitment,
To having an identity with purpose first...
Has not prioritized my being black.
As much as you have.
Are you hoping one day I will feel inferiror?

'You don't? '

By what or who?

'Those who feel they are better than you.'

I don't fantasize.
But I realize there are many who do.
And I notice them everywhere I go.
You have to notice it too?

'I don't.'

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

On A Daily Basis

I am often humbled,
By those expressions made
Regarding my thoughts...
With any impressions,
They have laid to stay in minds.
I find I am fascinated.

Whether appreciated or not,
I have to stop sometimes to wonder.

This I've been doing for such a while now.
And I try to maintain a comprehension about life,
With curiosity.
And that isn't easy to express at times.
Especially when my feelings,
Are not heightened by a respect I should let show.
Finding a pinch given gets more attention,
Than a peck on the cheek with cheesiness.
And I ain't that kind of a writer.

And I've been attacked for being black.
Not because I express that!
But...
Because my comments offend,
Those pretending I should not notice bigotry displayed.
Or that I have not been in contact with racism.

I am aware of Disneyland but I've never been.
I can only elaborate on my own personal encounters.
Especially regarding my own life.
With obstacles, strife and tribulations.

Like others who write and many who do not,
There are things I dislike.

There are aches and pains and sufferings I've gained,
From this experience.
But...
Do I choose to dwell on them?
Sure I do.
When it feels good to do it!
But what purpose is being achieved?
A bonding with agony?
Please.

I was in the military,
With guys who bragged about their wounds.
And displayed scars like badges.
On the regular.

So many people carry and share their frustrations.
As if life is an experience only known to a few who live it!
And I've learned life is to be enjoyed!
With as much happiness one allows.
And I say allow!
Since so many choose not to do that!
Many have chosen to be victims.
Listen to them.
This is not denied.

When I discovered peace of mind...
I did not realize I had to pay for it!
Yes!
It ain't free.
And I did with tears, heartache...
And emotional investments!
With lost dignity too.
I held onto my identity.
I knew early it was precious.

One day my faith awakened me with sunlight so bright!
And nature awaiting my acceptance to share it.
I felt at one with the Earth.

I felt I had to thank it
For allowing me to leech upon its goodness.
And not to my surprise the Earth complied.
I expressed a gratefulness to God,
For all the gifts I received that came unwrapped.
I felt a release from entrapments.

And I rid myself of limitations.
Knowing if I was to be ignorant about anything...
Affecting my experience.
There was a lot of misunderstanding I refused to admit.
I had to let that go.
It showed on my face too much.

Today I choose to be naive.
About many things.
With a clarity that there is so much I'd like to learn.
On a daily basis.

I choose to have my life to live it.
Carrying around bitterness is such a waste of time.
Especially when time, as we know it...
IS for the most part,
A human illusion!
Made to market and appease frustrations.
And shopping can frustrate more than constipation.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

The Black Victory

The true joy is the measure of self-justice planted in the essence of black beauty; we are the black
soul of mind serenity, we come a long way we cannot fail!
Not at this time bounded by dimensions of poverty and inequality, no! Not within a thousand years
We have survived the storms of cold mentality; our hearts are forever thankful and for an eternity will sing all hail!
Sing for the redemption of all; lost years, the seed of black thought and the time spent in the valley of tears
Upon this day we have carried the burden of our struggle, the sorrow within our tears is our testimony
We have conquered our fears, and the valley of tears painted by the seed of white age and thought
The progress can never be stopped by any measure, nor by law or by white the discrimination living in black Irony!
We shall win as we were meant to win, the black victory, we are the immortal battle that the white masters never fought!

poem by Sicelo Sithole
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Two Points Of View

You, always making promises
Who gets the blame for your mistakes
You, made a game of politics
Now fear and guilt on your face
But I cant feel your pain
And I wont share your shame
All I know is what I feel
Music sets me free
I dont mind walking in the rain
Ooh, tears of heaven soothe my pain
Love is the sound that makes me sing
I love to play a melody
But you cant hear the sound
But you cant, you cant feel the beat
All I know is what I feel
Music sets me free
I dont mind walking in the rain
Ooh, tears of heaven soothe my pain
Love is the sound that makes me sing
I love to play a melody
But you cant hear the sound
But you cant, you cant feel the beat
All I know is what I feel
Music sets me free
Two points of view
Two points of view
Two points of view
One for me, and one for you
But you cant hear the sound
But you cant, you cant feel the beat
All I know is what I feel
Music sets me free
Two points of view
Two points of view
Two points of view
One for me and one for you
Two points of view
Two points of view

song performed by by Santana
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!

Roads That Cross

There are roads that cross,
From which one picks to choose.
Hoping to make a correct decision,
To select the best...
Is very difficult to do.

And one does what is thought to be right,
With faith to pray.
And one does what is hoped,
Will not cause confusion...
The rest of one's life to pay.
Yet...
Are there any roads paved with gold,
Cleared of clouds or thunder?
Are there any free of obstacles,
With no sign of pouring rain.
And...
Is there much to gain,
If one refuses to choose?

Are there any roads paved with gold,
Cleared of clouds or roaring thunder?
Are there any free of obstacles,
With no sign of feeling pain?
And...
Is there much to gain,
If one refuses to choose?

Is there any other way,
To live...
With a doing done to do.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Their Self Righteous Mess-Part One

What is now widely known...
The hoodwink with bamboozling.
The private jets and corporate theft.
The cheating and lieing,
Over generations of deceit.
Those who used their influence to gain.
While homelessness and hunger...
Increased upon urban streets.

Character assassinations,
And defamations done.
The rise of racism...
Among the low and middle class,
Both now trashed and smelling like dung.

And the economy now bleeding,
Fast speeding to hit the rocks!
With a black President named Barack Obama...
Now telling those who 'had'
They are going to give it up...
All their ill gotten wealth,
Pocketed and locked...
In private stocks.

They are going to share,
Like it or not!
With those they rode on the backs to feed...
Those that 'had not' he has assured,
He knows they have endured.

And he has not forgotten...
The causes of their oppression!
Some choose to label this 'socialism' aggressed.
However...
Whatever it had been called in the past,
Democracy or a protection of interests.
The ending of it all can see.
Whether or not those 'conservative'
Wish to continue their self righteous mess,
Part one!

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

I Thought You Knew

The only shame I claim,
Is not being honest.
When I took it upon myself...
To decide you could not bear,
The truth.
I pretended not to know it!

And now you are left to suffer.
Clinging onto delusions.
Hoping...
That what has been diminished from your reality,
Will survive to revive a time that has passed!
A time that has gone.
With no guarantee given,
That it would last!
Not to linger for you...
To pick up when you wished.
And to be carried on!

And I observe you in despair.
Wishing to revisit yesterday!
Wishing to do those things,
You promised yourself you would!
If only you could!
With intentions that are good.

And I was there...
Letting you believe,
You had time!
And I knew in my mind,
You were not living in yesterday then!
And I pretended not to know it.
I thought you were teasing.
And unwilling to show it!

And today,
No matter what I say to you...
You aren't prepared to accept tomorrow.
You are not living in the 'now'!
And doing that,
Now...
Can only bring you joy!
But you wish to keep...
Those memories kept in bitterness,
To refresh as if they sit to treat!

And I pretended not to know that...
Because I thought you knew!
Because,
Well...
I thought you knew me too!
But I realize so vividly now...
Both of us have been wrong,
For too long!

The only shame I claim,
Is not being honest.
When I took it upon myself...
To decide you could not bear,
The truth.
I pretended not to know it!
And the happiness I have discovered...
You would not understand it.
Even though I have been here.
And wanting it to be shared!
What you have found to rely on that comforts...
I view that as a sign of despair.
I thought you knew...
I have not been there to share that with you!

And that's the only shame I claim!
Not being honest.
When I took it upon myself...
To decide you could not bear,
The truth.
I pretended not to know it!
But you...
I know now,
Aren't pretending at all.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

The children in black

The children in black
Where did their childhoods go
Trailing water behind
How did they become this cynical
They write words of hate
Tears of joy is no longer a term for them
How can they be so small
But hate so much
The children in black

The children in black
What happened to happiness
Are they that controlled
That everything can effect them
Don't they have the right to laugh
Why are their eyes this guarded
Does everything have to be that formal
What happened to innocence
Did it go away with the faith
The children in black

The children in black
I can see the bitterness
Can't you see the ugly truth
Bitter minds already got their minds trained
So why are children so dark
Is there that much pain
The children in black

The children in black
What happened to be open minded
Did it close like a door
Only opening for a few
Is this society that negative
That they can't see the light
What happened to love
Loving parents and friends
It must have went away
The children in black

The children in black
Their hate scares me
Their eyes make me grimace
With thier hate they can stop the world
But how is that possible when they are so young
Are their minds that easy to twist
The children in black

The children in black
I hope they will soon see the light
I don't know if it's normal to be afraid
But that's what I feel
Why do most people find it easier to be sad
Do they realize it's not
The children aren't children anymore
They're miny adults trying to impress
Why don't people realize this
Are they that oblivious
Maybe if people opened their eyes we could do something
But until then...

The children in black

poem by Lillie Ellis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Why Do Poets Write

(just written)

Why do poets write, a question that I wonder.

I’ve asked myself that question over a thousand times.
And I always come up with the same answer
It’s because we are blind.
We accept all that we see constant, as the daily norm.
But I cannot accept it, it’s not where I belong.

There are questions to be answered that we must write about
We’ll climb the highest mountain, and to the world we will shout.
Why is the sky blue? Why is the ocean deep?
Why is the mountain high? Why do we weep?
We have been given everything man could possibly need
This is the reason GOD had planted the seed.
We are the only creatures that have a mind to think
But when we do not use it, we can lose in in a wink.

We as poets see all the beauties that are around
We will write about it, without even making a sound
We will also see the suffering, for not everything in
Life is a bed of flowers, for people are dying
Each and every hour.

There are too many topics for us to write about
War, poverty, hunger, sickness, just to name a few
We can’t write about everything, what are we supposed to do.
So I look around to all that surround me
Then I pick a topic of which I do not foresee.
I put myself in that position of what I am writing about
If it’s about pregnancy, I will feel her aches and pains
And by doing this there is knowledge that I gain.
Life is two sided of that there is no doubt.
Rich, poor, happy, sad, love, hate, boy, girl,
Life, death, all in suits of twos
All this excites me, but which one will I choose?
Why do poets write? now you tell me?
maybe it’s just because we love the poetry.

poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Strong Black Woman

I am
a black woman strong
beyond definition
standing tall by my words
humming a song to defy my place
and claim my space till time
looks on me with tears
and renew itself

I am a black woman
poised to vanquish night
and usher in the day
veer the wind southward
that moist clouds rise for me
to feel joy that kindles blue meridian skies

I am a black woman
fulfilling my call
as a strong black woman
never to bow nor bend to heartaches and
the pain that brings tears to eyes
I am a black woman
still carrying the warm smiles of my youth

I am a black woman
gathering my songs into fiery Zulu spears
to kill tears still dancing on our foreheads
and when morning star rises tomorrow
everything will be bright before us
because yesterday ended last night

poem by Padmore Enyonam Agbemabiese
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Alone By Choice

alone i am in the rain
wishing and wishing for it to rid my pain
alone im spraled out on the floor
alone in the darkness i couldnt ask for more
alone as i cry these salty tears
alone dreaming about my fears
alone a am but why
why would i lay here and die
why is my being alone always the answer
why is being alone part of my disaster.
alone i am in my fairytale dream
the darkness around me wat does it mean
alone as the cold drapes over me
forever alone i choose to be.

poem by Crystal Thomas
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Wasn't It Sold a Long Time Ago

Why are people so alarmed?
And what is it are they wishing to take back?
And from whom?

Integrity?
When did they lose it,
And who took that away?

Dignity and pride?
The last time I witnessed that...
It was on life support.
And I don't think they were able,
To bring any of it back.

Let's see...mmm,
Oh yeah,
Humanity?
Remember when homelessness, poverty and hunger
Were all associated with the inner city folks?
Now everybody wants to get into the act.
But...
Humanity?
Still has taken two or three steps back!

Why are people so alarmed?
And what is it are they wishing to take back?
And from whom?

Jobs and...well, jobs!
Remember the terms downsized and outsourced?
Can you say...
Betrayal and deceit?
And add corporate greed to that.

High prices?
Low or no wages!
The economy is on the brink.
Banks are closing.
And...
No one dares to mention truth.
Or the pollution done to the environment.

Why are people so alarmed?
And what is it are they wishing to take back?
And from whom?

Well...
Not too many are far away from ignorance.
So that can't be what they are wishing to take back.
And if it is the country they refer to?
Wasn't it sold a long time ago...
When racism was used as a distraction?

This country has been ripped to shreds!
With few wishing to prioritize,
A patching of this quilt done.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Black Heart

The pain, it hurts it rips and tears
Unstoppable, but I don’t care
All the lies about me, all the tears that have come
They're all from you and that thing you’ve become
Don’t you remember when we were young and small?
All the secrets we shared, do you remember at all?
Now my hatred for you is growing strong
Every insult you throw, is it really so wrong?
That your face makes me shake
How much more can I take.....?
Now, do you see what you've done?
This happened to ME, congratulations you’ve won
Now are you glad that you killed me inside?
Because now I wish I had really died
Of course you don’t, you’ll never know
All the pain and suffering I’ll never show
My heart isn’t mending
Because of all you’re bending
It’s form slithering back
Only now it’s black……

poem by Katie Evans
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

Crying but Not

Tears of sorrow, joy, or pain,
Drops of water fall from your eyes like rain.

If you have tears of sorrow,
Look ahead for tomorrow.

Are they tears of joy?
With your emotions people will toy.

If they are tears of pain,
Gaze ahead for what you can gain.

Tears are for things,
Feelings both good and bad.
People are always crying,
That makes me sad.

What joy do people take,
In making us cry,
It might do more than that,
It might make us want to die.

They take joy in our sorrow and pain!
And my question is, what do they gain?

poem by Clare McCarthy
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

End Racism

The eyes of hate stares down at you
with so much dispproval and it makes you
feel uncomfortible and unwelcome,

Racism is major and it has to STOP
its like you want afican americans to
be ashamed to dislike their color because
you dislike it.

Unlike other people who are
afaid to stand up for whats right
im PROUD to be a young black women.

Racism has been going on since 1955 and longer,

Does anyone care about how racism affects alot of people
and, how is brings some of us down as Afican Americans,

As Afican Americans walk down the street all you hear and see is people of other races throwing the N' word at them and fingering them.
it hurts sometimes to see people disapproval of black people but like my mom always told me what doesnt kill you, makes you stronger.

Its time for a change....

END RACISM

By Latishia Johnson

-f you read my peoms dont copy my poem and call it yours, because i work way to hard for people tp be stealing my writing-THANKS ALOT

poem by Latishia Johnson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

There...Where You Are

Let the Sun light in,
And let it dance upon your face.
Let every muscle tensed be removed from your brow.
Be living where you are...
Breathing in the HERE in the right NOW!
There!
Where you are with wounds and scars you pick.

Not tomorrow or yesterday...
Hoping and holding on for a change to have happened then,
To appear today panting out of breath to find you
With sorrow and teardrops not yours to give...
Or feel any longer belongs to you.
This pacing back and forth with anguish,
Does not deliver instant cures.

Let the Sun light in
And let it dance upon your face.
Let every muscle tensed be removed from your brow.
Be living where you are...
Breathing in the HERE,
Wherever you are right NOW!

No magic wand will reduce your fears
To appear as muppets smiling with dandelions!
Until you begin to see it that way.
If that's the way you choose to see it!
But see it...
Be it!
Feel it in the NOW!

Nothing held with a sweating hand,
Is going to feel secure!
Until you begin to see it that way.
If that's the way you choose to see it!

But see it...
Be it!
Feel it in the NOW!

Let the Sun light in,
And let it dance upon your face.
There!
Where you are,
With wounds and scars you pick.

poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

The Black Man

Ive seen so many thing about racism on the T.V and in the newspaper, I thought I would write about it. This is the poem that flowed so freely from my hands

I walk down the street
There is no one I can meet
For I am not wanted
Like a cat in your flowers
A mosquito on you
People wish I wasn’t here
And yet I will never leave
I am, the black man.

I respect all
Even those who hate me
I wouldn’t hurt a person
And yet they want to hurt me
I stand out in a crowd
No one wants to walk beside me
I am, the black man

I can’t sit at the front of the bus
I must walk by
But every time I do
I get kicked by many shoes
So I decided to stop
Stand up for me
Live for my people.
For I am, the black man.

I refuse to listen to them
I get attack relentlessly
I still don’t listen
I shall never give up
Never fall in
For I am, the black man

I get taken away
But my spirit and soul stay
They will continue to fight
Continue to disobey
I won’t stop until we are free
To live life fully
For I am, the black man

poem by Dillon Crawford
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!

I Write A Little

(Randy Owen/Don Cook/Ronnie Rogers)
Military mail call....
I lay out some paper, I take out my pen
Turn on my table-lamp and here I go again
It's time to write a letter, I'm in the mood tonight
Gotta find a way to tell you how I feel inside
So I write a little and I cry a little
It's so hard to find a way to say goodbye a little
But somewhere in the middle, my emotions interfere
So I write a little and cry a little tear
And I die a little, wishing you were here
God I miss you, can't be with you
I would kiss you oh so good
'Cause you're my only cure for lonely
I'd call if I could
So I write a little and I cry a little
It's so hard to find a way to say goodbye a little
But somewhere in the middle, my emotions interfere
So I write a little and cry a little tear
And I die a little, wishing you were here
Oh, I die a little wishing you were here
Wishing you were here
I'm writing and wishing you were here
I write a little and cry a little tear
I'm writing and wishing you were here

song performed by by Alabama
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!