I Hated Those Multiple Choice Questions
Greed has chased their jobs,
And employers overseas.
Outsourcing was the word I heard...
When a few years ago,
I was downsized and released.
And when I heard the word 'downsized',
I didn't think it meant out the door.
And that's when I began to see...
Economics!
And what that term was used for.
Too many debits decreases credits.
And a negative credit,
Needs cash to cover it.
When no cash is there...
The cupboards grow bare.
And my mama taught me that...
When I'd ask for a dollar and she would stare,
'Boy where do you think money comes from?
Out of the blue?
Picked off trees?
Thin air? '
Hmmm...
I hated those multiple choice questions!
I wonder...
Is it 'All' or 'None Above'?
And not a hint on her face as to a clue.
Greed has chased their jobs,
And employers overseas.
Outsourcing was the word I heard...
When a few years ago,
I was downsized and released.
And people are screaming for their lifestyles back!
But I learned very early in my life,
If no cash is to be had...
Wishes and dreams stay right where they are at!
And those delusioned by grandeur need to face the facts.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Potless Wishes
Why aren't you enraged?
'About what? '
The state of the economy!
'Remember years ago,
When I told you I was 'downsized'?
A new term they were using back then
To declare people were no longer needed,
To perform jobs being taken away from them? '
Yeah, I remember that.
And those jobs were 'outsourced'.
Another term created!
'Right!
And something about the way it was used...
You knew it didn't belong to you any more!
Your 'gut' told you it was gone forever!
Over the years such words as surge, stimulation package
Bailout, rescue relief and mortgage meltdown have been introduced.'
Things 'are' happening rather fast it seems.
'There are some terms being tossed about for introduction,
For folks to absorb and digest!
They were sampling them the other day at the supermarket! '
What are they?
'Vacant Shelfing and Mental Evacuation.
I've dealt with Vacant Shelfing on a number of occasions,
When I was a child.
We use to call that 'Potless Wishes'
However...
'Mental Evacuation'?
That's the term that stumps me! '
Why is that?
'Something tells me...
That is not going to be done on a voluntary basis! '
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Applauded For The Doing
When companies were moving,
Their production and interests overseas...
To gain higher earnings,
They were applauded for the doing.
Even by those 'downsized'.
And very few criticized these decisions made.
Gleeming towers on foreign shores,
Attest what is 'theirs'!
And never again to be 'yours'.
Today people are blaming those in politics,
For allowing themselves to be deceived and tricked.
Today people are demanding to receive their jobs back.
With a sitting back and the doing of nothing,
As they expected paychecks that were fat.
And everyone points their fingers at those who lead.
But the ones who have been conscious of this,
When times began long ago to shift...
And were ignored upon the delivering of messages,
That insisted...
'No one can have what is wished,
IF facts presented are continued to be dismissed.
And adjustments aren't made to prepare for it.'
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Selected To Be Unfortunate
With a feasting that had to cease,
Those addicted to this most...
Still will not concede,
The reason why their jobs were outsourced...
Overseas,
Had more to do with their increasing greed.
And policies unionized to keep them high paid,
While also maintaining entitlements...
To ensure their lazy ways.
People want jobs but don't want to work.
They want to know what the incentives are first.
Two weeks with pay vacation.
Bonuses and raises based upon attendance,
And not common sense or competence.
With free medical insurance that provides for sick days.
Not caring whoever employes them,
Has a product to market and a service kept wanted...
IF in the game that employer wishes to stay and play.
Selfishness is not in the mix,
For those affixed to entitlements.
And the cupboards grow bare for those who left them there.
Those who refused others a right to share,
With an eliminating of their rights to opportunities.
Should not expect those selected to be unfortunate,
To empathize with them or express they care.
Since disparaties and misdeeds of deceit...
Has always been a motivation greedy people keep.
'There you go bringing up racism, again! '
Not once did I mention color or race.
Has your consciousness come face to face with it?
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Cash In Your Face
You just could not know how long we tried
To see how this building looks inside
This must be a lucky day for me
Because the sign says theres a vacancy
Look I know you came a long way
But you made it just too late
So we had to give it to somebody else
Well I talked to you on the phone less than fifteen minutes ago
And you told me that it was cool
I graduated from howard u.
My job is paying good money too
And if you check on my resume
Youll find they all wanted me to stay
Well I cant take the time out
To check your credit card
cause the computer just broke down today
Well Ill stop by here tomorrow to complete our interview
But I know what youre gonna say
I know what your bottomline is
You might have the cash but you
Can...not cash in your face
We dont want you living in here
Say you might have the cash but you
Can...not cash in your face
We dont want your kind living in here
Too-oo, too-oo too bad,
Too-oo, too-oo too sad
Our first child is due here any day
Thats why were desperate for a place to stay
The location is so perfect too
So please try to do what you can do
Well in this apartment complex no children are allowed
And if you told me that I could have saved you alot of time
Well I thought the bill was passed that said you could not discriminate
But I know some excuse youll find
Because your bottom line is
You might have the cash but you
Can...not cash in your face
We dont want you living in here
Say you might have the cash but you
Can...not cash in your face
We dont want your kind living in here
Aye, you might be a great doctor
You might be a great lawyer
You might possess the key to the city
Or maybe a politician
You might have the cash but you
Can...not cash in your face
We dont want you living in here
Say you might have the cash but you
Can...not cash in your face
We dont want your kind living in here
song performed by by Stevie Wonder
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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To Produce and Spread the Legitimacy
I've overheard some people to say,
How they have to work two and three jobs
To maintain their quality of life.
? ? ?
Yes,
I've questioned it.
Even as I thought about it, I was in question.
Working two and three jobs to maintain a quality of life?
And those 'bigwigs' on Wall Street,
Entitle themselves to luxuries and bonuses...
Stripping away 'generations' of folks?
Literally!
Forget the figurative!
These folks are high-falutin looters!
Just based on whether or not their company allows it?
Pocketing millions to accomodate their greed?
And they may not be seen in the office...
Or in the buildings where they have committed theft and fraud?
And folks have elected a government to represent their wishes?
These are their wishes?
To be dismissed like this?
Even some plantation owners left the land to the slaves.
To show their appreciation.
Whether that was from guilt or not...
That is yet to be debated.
Ladies and gentlemen...
I ask you this,
Anytime you have to adapt to slavery to maintain a quality of life,
Is that life?
Or bondage?
Harriet Tubman realized that many years ago,
When she was brave enough to smuggle some black people to Toronto.
You've heard of the Underground Railroad?
Not the restaurant.
The movement.
But those today are thrilled...
Ecstatic,
To show that ball and chain around their necks!
And brag about standards and values they condone someone else stealing!
While thumbing their noses and attitudes at others.
And not getting a wink of sleep,
Trying to keep what is being taxed.
And we all know if you stop paying taxes...
Who comes to take back,
What is claimed 'owned'.
This is the democracy we have been taught that is envied around the world?
Perhaps that is why a global economic crisis has been claimed!
There is just not enough people willing to kill themselves for it.
At least not at the expense of someone else's luxurious lifestyle!
But then again...
Even their greed has enforced limitations.
Now those in control are heard moaning about producing more loans.
Increasing credit limits.
To continue feeding a gluttony without cash being exchanged!
Folks it is there in your faces.
This is not made up stuff!
While kids fight to get into college.
Not for knowledge.
Would we be in these dire straits,
If folks were knowledgeable?
there is a greed perceived that is needed.
To keep this addiction thriving!
And costly are the fees for it!
Just as wars keep conflicts...
And fears assigned to terrorists!
All there to produce and spread the legitimacy,
Of this sickness.
It is the progress of a demented society!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Jobs?
Jobs?
They don't want jobs.
Not the ones they exclaim,
Can make a down payment...
On credited fantasies.
And they want to be able to pay for them.
They want money.
And lots of it.
They are above pushing a broom.
They've been spoiled by 'entitlements'.
That's why those who created those jobs,
Found a cheaper way to produce their products...
Now being made overseas.
With more sweating they get,
From grateful and pleasant employees.
Not discussing their retirement plans,
Or increments of expected raises.
Those employers wanting to survive,
Have prioritized their needs as well.
With a paying of those interested in creating quality...
And not those more involved,
In discussing where they vacation...
During a two hour lunch break.
While complaining what the boss makes...
Or who shops where for a price making eyes pop.
As they within eight hours do exactly what they please.
To leave a job before it is time...
Completing nothing that is due.
Jobs?
They had jobs.
And complained 'aliens' were taking them away.
When blacks began getting tips waiting on tables,
It was soon discovered how they were no longer qualified,
To do menial work.
Since 'some' folks began to realize,
Those menial positions could become very lucrative.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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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
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Your Cash Ain't Nothing But Trash
(c. calhoun)
Walking down the main drag one night
I met a fine chick that looked- just right
She stopped in and i flashed my roll
I told her she could have all of my dough
She turned around, and with a fround
She said this ain't no circus and i don't need a clown
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
So there ain't no need in your hangin' around
Just to make the hit with that chick
I tried to get a cadillac right quick
The man at the place looked so strange
I had nine hundred bucks and some change
We disagreed, i tried to pleed
He said i ain't no chicken and i don't need your feed
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Then brother you're crawling we passed your speed
I'm walking and countin my bucks
The man with the gun said hands up
I tried to get away but i was too slow
He caught me and took all of my dough
I heard him shout, as he cut out
"you really lost nothing what you're crying about?"
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
And he took my watch and i passed out
I woke in the arms of a big cop
Police station next stop
The judge swung his fist down plunk plunk
Twenty dollar fine 'cause you're drunk
Dig up the dough, and you can go
And all i had was a buffalo
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
Your cash ain't nothin' but trash
But i sure better get me some more
song performed by by Huey Lewis And The News
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Fatback Drippings
People delusioned,
Do not want to face facts!
Their soft lifestyles,
Based upon 'good' credit...
And scored on how well,
They pay back on debits...
Does not produce more dollars to track.
And the sad state of the economy,
Is a reality many refuse to face.
Those living high on the hog,
And enjoyed fatback drippings...
Find they are trapped in shacks...
Suffering from the fact of cutbacks.
Whether that is accepted or not!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The List Goes On
Radio play, just depresses me today,
Why is it so throwaway?
The lists that you write just to classify this tripe,
When clearly it all sounds the same
I've heard it all done before,
100 years ago, or more,
Orginality is so passe
Just the same old politics
Through pretentious effects units,
By self obsessive slobs... the list goes on
Madia press has become an utter mess,
The opinions of failed pop stars,
They constantly try to divert the public eye,
Led by large cash advances and such
I've heard it all done before,
100 years ago or more
Originality is so passe,
Forgotten geners get re-hashed
Create the craze, create the cash,
Will you buy anything... the list goes on
And I will try, not to let this get to me,
But it goes on,
Yeah it goes on, and on and on and on...
I've heard it all done before,
100 years ago or more,
Originality is so passe,
I'll never lose my faith in you,
If nothing's good what can you do,
Just don't buy anything,
The list goes on,
On the list goes on
song performed by by Ordinary Boys
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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More Arrogant Than Necessary
Remember a few years ago,
When folks 'with' good credit...
Use to brag about the number of cards,
They had.
'I have all the major ones!
And you? '
None!
'None? Well...
I pride myself on maintaining good credit! '
I'm a true American.
Destined to have bad credit...
I guess!
And 'today' my bad credit prevented me,
From getting a credit card.
I did have one many years ago.
I never used it and was still stuck with a bill.
Charging me fees for 'non-use'.
Oh yes!
Now I've heard...
Not only have some folks experienced,
Tripled interests rates.
They are charged an additional fee...
IF less than two items are purchased in a single month.
AND...'if' the bank is not paid for those purchases,
Within thirty days...
That's another fee!
Years ago I frequented a store called Nellie's
On Canton Street in Hartford.
I was a kid.
Grown...
But a child nonetheless.
It was rare for me to have money.
But I ended up in Nellie's talking with her.
And she'd give me a lollipop.
I was a child using my charm to the max.
One day I licked on a lollipop...
And Ms Nellie said, 'Two for Five cents.'
'I ain't got no five cents, Ms Nellie! '
~That's your last lollipop! ~
Where are they?
What have we done to those teachers?
Who stuck by a decision to feed addicting greed to folks?
Especially to the ones who ain't got no cash.
Or none laying around in a bank.
If 'they' did 'they' would not be closing them!
I demanded my account closed years ago.
And took all of my twenty dollars out!
The manager had stated...
I was 'acting' more arrogant than necessary.
'Excuse me?
Close my account! Now.
And that will be in 'twenty' one dollar bills...
Thank you! '
They are using 'my' money?
And pushing 'me' around like that?
I...don't think so!
I'm glad I did that earlier.
The thought of standing in a line,
'Waiting' to see if my life's savings are safe...
I don't have the patience anymore to do!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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The Careless Word
A WORD is ringing thro' my brain,
It was not meant to give me pain;
It had no tone to bid it stay,
When other things had past away;
It had no meaning more than all
Which in an idle hour fall:
It was when first the sound I heard
A lightly uttered, careless word.
That word--oh! it doth haunt me now,
In scenes of joy, in scenes of woe;
By night, by day, in sun or shade,
With the half smile that gently played
Reproachfully, and gave the sound
Eternal power thro' life to wound.
There is no voice I ever heard,
So deeply fix'd as that one word.
When in the laughing crowd some tone,
Like those whose joyous sound is gone,
Strikes on my ear, I shrink--for then
The careless word comes back again.
When all alone I sit and gaze
Upon the cheerful home-fire blaze,
Lo! freshly as when first 'twas heard,
Returns that lightly uttered word.
When dreams bring back the days of old;
With all that wishes could not hold;
And from my feverish couch I start
To press a shadow to my heart--
Amid its beating echoes, clear
That little word I seem to hear:
In vain I say, while it is heard,
Why weep?--'twas but a foolish word.
It comes--and with it come the tears,
The hopes, the joys of former years;
Forgotten smiles, forgotten looks,
Thick as dead leaves on autumn brooks,
And all as joyless, though they were
The brightest things life's spring could share.
Oh! would to God I ne'er had heard
That lightly uttered, careless word!
It was the first, the only one
Of those which lips for ever gone
Breathed in their love--which had for me
Rebuke of harshness at my glee:
And if those lips were here to say,
'Beloved, let it pass away,'
Ah! then, perchance--but I have heard
The last dear tone--the careless word!
Oh! ye who, meeting, sigh to part,
Whose words are treasures to some heart,
Deal gently, ere the dark days come,
When earth hath but for one a home;
Lest, musing o'er the past, like me,
They feel their hearts wrung bitterly,
And, heeding not what else they heard,
Dwell weeping on a careless word.
poem by Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton
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Have A Nice Day
I heard it from the gangster
I heard it from the priest
I heard it from my best friend
Way down in the middle east
Have a nice day- That's all I hear every day
Have a nice day- I don't believe a word you say
I heard from the landlord
When he kicked me out
I heard it from the spirits
As they possessed my house
Have a nice day- That's all I hear every day
Have a nice day- I don't believe a word you say
When they look me in the eye I turn the other way
It's just a trained reaction something they gotta say... yeah
I heard it in New Zealand
I heard it at the club
I heard it from my doctor
Before he pulled the plug
Have a nice day- That's all I hear every day
Have a nice day- I don't believe a word you say
Have a nice day- That's all I hear every day
Have a nice day- I don't believe a word you say
song performed by by Ramones from Adios Amigos
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Word Up
Oh
Yo pretty ladies around the world
Got a weird thing to show you
So tell all the boys and girls
Tell your brother, your sister and your mamma too
We're about to go down
And you know just what to do
Wave your hands in the air like you don't care
Gilde by the people as they start to look and stare
Do your dance, do your dance, do your dance quick mamma
Come on baby tell me what's the word
Word up (up up) everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up (up up) it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Now all you sucker DJ's who think you're fly
There's got to be a reason and we know the reason why
You try to put on those airs and act real cool
But you got to realise that you're acting like fools
If there's music we can use it
Be free to dance
We don't have the time for psychological romance
No romance, no romance, no romance for me mamma
Come on baby tell me what's the word
Word up (up up) everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up (up up) it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Word up (up up) everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up (up up) it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
Word up (up up) everybody say
When you hear the call you've got to get it underway
Word up (up up) it's the code word
No matter where you say it you know that you'll be heard
song performed by by Korn
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Something To Get Done For Somebody
Many people have done one thing,
Most of their lives.
Get up-go to work-and go home!
Get up-go to work-and go home!
Get up-go to work-and go home!
Until they are awarded a gift...
To show an appreciation,
For their dedicated madness.
Those who make it.
Those who are downsized with jobs outsourced...
Their loyalty gets them a pink slip.
Or a promise to fit them in anywhere.
If there is space left.
And if they don't mind sitting behind a brick wall,
To put in their time for a lower pay.
And to keep in mind...
They still have jobs that accomplishes 'something'.
Something to get done for somebody!
Until the time comes to retire from it.
Or get fired.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Mountain Song
comin' down the mountain
one of many children
everybody has
their own opinion
everybody has
their own opinion
holding it back
hurts so bad
jumping out of my flesh
and i said
cash in!
cash in now honey
cash in now
cash in now
cash in now honey
cash in miss smith
cash in now!
i was comin down the mountain
met a child she had pin eyes
we had the same opinion
had the same opinion
she was holding it back
it hurts do bad
jumping out of her flesh
and i said
cash in!
cash in now honey
cash in now
cash in now
cash in now honey
cash in miss smith
cash in now!
song performed by by Jane's Addiction from Nothing's Shocking
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jungle Telegraph
Mama had a epidural
Hoping I would be a girl.
The night was black, the sky was blue
The darker clouds are showing noon
I heard screaming, the doctor shouts,
Didnt give in,
I came out.
And here I am.
I found my way, down the street.
Chicken hawks, filled with meat.
The man was big, the gun was loaded,
She had cash, but never showed it,
I heard screamin, bleeding throat
And baby I got on that boat.
And here I am.
Now Im up here in the trees
Shaking off the bugs and fleas
The days are long, the sun is beatin
He says (it says) I dont die with you
Send me some lovin
Send me some lovin
Send it now
Send it by giraffe, on jungle telegraph
song performed by by Eels
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Cash On The Barrelhead
I got in a little trouble at the county seat
Lord, they put me in the jailhouse
For loafing on the street
Well, the judge said guilty
He made his point
He said fourty-five dollars
Or thirty days in the joint
Thatll be cash on the barrelhead, hun
You can take your choice
Youre twenty-one
No money down
No credit plan
No time to chase you
Cause Im a busy man
I found a telephone number on a laundry slip
I had a good, hardy jailor
With a six gun hip
He let me call long distance
She said, number, please
And just as soon as I told her
She shouted back at me
Said thatll be cash on the barrelhead, hun
Not part, not half
But the entire sum
No money down
No credit line
Cause a little boy tells me
Youre the travelin kind
Thirty days in the jailhouse
Four days on the road
I was feelin mighty hungry
My feet, a heavy load
I saw a greyhound comin
Stuck out my thumb
As soon as I was seated
The driver caught my arm
Said thatll be cash on the barrelhead, hun
This old, grey dog gets paid to run
When the engine starts
And the wheels will roll
Give me cash on the barrelhead
I take ya down the road
Ohh, cash on the barrelhead
I take you down the road
song performed by by Dolly Parton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Favourite Word
The magazine is running a competition
it wants to know our favourite word
they say they want to know why
it's the best word you've ever heard?
So it got me thinking really hard
what word fills me with delight?
could it be a word linked to Halloween
like terror, spooky, demonic, or fright?
But I like a word that just sounds funny
something like snuffle, truffle, or ruffle,
but I love a word I heard when I was young
and it still makes me smile and it is Kerfuffle
My mother said the neighbour's are at it again
sounds like there having a row or a scuffle,
and my dad would just laugh and say to us.
'take no notice it's only a bit of a Kerfuffle.'
So that's my favourite word I reckon
maybe because I first heard it when I was young?
so I'm going to say it more often to people
as Kerfuffle just slips of the tongue!
poem by Kevin Halls
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Erace
How I hate
When people chose not to vote
Like why did we have
The Civil Rights movement?
So you could sit at home
And complain how the wrong
Man won that race
So many people fought
ERACING the lines
That other's dare not cross
Just so you could have a voice
That you could use to make a choice-
How I hate when people
Of color and others
Use the 'N' word
As if most of them knew
Where it came from
How they should ERACE that word
From their vocabulary
That once mocked their ancestral family
And when others from another race
Use it- it's not a matter of usage right
But why continue that 'White Hate'?
Did you know that the origin of the 'N' word
Is Latin-
Yes indeed because I did my research
And even before that
I opposed the use of that demeaning term-
How I hate
That racism still plagues
Over our society
Like a cloudy sky
That won't let the sun shine
And even in these times
People are refused jobs,
Because of the shade of their skin
How people should be made
Color blind
If thats what it takes
To ERACE the hate
And those who
Discriminate-
How I hate
That even after some many years
After all those
Marches to ERACE
All that wronged our society
We still must deal with the ignorance
Of so many around us
And that's not to discredit
All the progress made
But facts are facts
And until that 'hateful mentality' isn't
ERACED from those minds
The cycle of racism and hatered
Will still arise
poem by Mark Rivera
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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