deepundergroundpoetry.com
Big game hunting
Big game hunting in the streets
Militarization of the police
Two young men of color in my office today
Disturbed by events unfolding nationally and reactions
Interactions
On campus
While home on break
On social media sites
With friends
Acquaintances
Callousness
Towards
Death
The loss of precious life
What runs through their heads (of course)
Is
"Could have been me"
Afraid, Enraged, Engaged, Provoked...
"Could have been me"
Cold, blood congealing on hard concrete...
"Could have been me"
Dead, abandoned throughout the day...
Would all these people still then say trite phrases, make jokes, poke fun?
Someone died. He didn't have to.
However...
This issue is not confined nor bound to
Color
Alone
Nor
Ethnicity.
Oh no
This issue encompasses distance
Otherization
If you will
Distance is not in our best interests
It polarizes
Minimizes
Divides and conquers
Exploits
Mistreats
Invites self-deceit, conceit
Mirrored shades to hide behind
No windows to the soul revealed
Allows soullessness then to pervade?
Combat gear to cower behind
Protecting tender flesh
Does that then allow cruelty towards another's unprotectedness?
Complex weaponry to apprehend criminality
When and where are drawn the lines for use?
Too easy to cross over: abuse
Again and again
Lessons gleaned from
History
Power corrupts
Absolute power corrupts
Absolutely
How many times
How many ways
Must this education
Occur?
Militarization of the police
Two young men of color in my office today
Disturbed by events unfolding nationally and reactions
Interactions
On campus
While home on break
On social media sites
With friends
Acquaintances
Callousness
Towards
Death
The loss of precious life
What runs through their heads (of course)
Is
"Could have been me"
Afraid, Enraged, Engaged, Provoked...
"Could have been me"
Cold, blood congealing on hard concrete...
"Could have been me"
Dead, abandoned throughout the day...
Would all these people still then say trite phrases, make jokes, poke fun?
Someone died. He didn't have to.
However...
This issue is not confined nor bound to
Color
Alone
Nor
Ethnicity.
Oh no
This issue encompasses distance
Otherization
If you will
Distance is not in our best interests
It polarizes
Minimizes
Divides and conquers
Exploits
Mistreats
Invites self-deceit, conceit
Mirrored shades to hide behind
No windows to the soul revealed
Allows soullessness then to pervade?
Combat gear to cower behind
Protecting tender flesh
Does that then allow cruelty towards another's unprotectedness?
Complex weaponry to apprehend criminality
When and where are drawn the lines for use?
Too easy to cross over: abuse
Again and again
Lessons gleaned from
History
Power corrupts
Absolute power corrupts
Absolutely
How many times
How many ways
Must this education
Occur?
Published 25th May 2015
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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25th May 2015 5:53am
injustice is pervasive in our dismal society.
whenever a new battle occurs, the poets are right there in the trenches...
whenever a new battle occurs, the poets are right there in the trenches...
29th May 2015 8:45pm
JohnFeddeler, luv ~ :-*
Injustice is a pervasive thing worldwide, sadly. I have spent a great deal of my life attempting to understand the underpinnings of injustice, cruelty, hatred.
It is an ineluctable truth to me that what I do to you, I do to me for you are part of me though I may not know you; still we are interconnected. Quantum physics addresses this from what I understand, though, admittedly, I have only a rudimentary knowledge, luv. :-p
I keep pondering and returning o'er and o'er to the fundamental interconnectedness of all things... ;-p
Thank you, luv. Trenches, indeed.
Injustice is a pervasive thing worldwide, sadly. I have spent a great deal of my life attempting to understand the underpinnings of injustice, cruelty, hatred.
It is an ineluctable truth to me that what I do to you, I do to me for you are part of me though I may not know you; still we are interconnected. Quantum physics addresses this from what I understand, though, admittedly, I have only a rudimentary knowledge, luv. :-p
I keep pondering and returning o'er and o'er to the fundamental interconnectedness of all things... ;-p
Thank you, luv. Trenches, indeed.
Anonymous
25th May 2015 6:32am
Society is self-destructing. . .we are at war with ourselves. . .sad. And to think that we're not even a third world country. Can you even begin to imagine?. . .Miss Savaja, a self-political and compelling write!. . .Enjoyed!. . .xoxo, Devlin;)
29th May 2015 9:25pm
DevlinDLC, luv ~ :-*
Methinks there has been a war going on for many, many years; 'tis just now that the media has decided to spotlight what has been happening all along.
The same laws have not applied; there have been and are (though mayhap a bit less so now) arbitrary determinants in play.
Positive change does occur; I know and for that I am wholeheartedly grateful!
Thank you very much, luv. :-* I am glad it spoke to you.
Methinks there has been a war going on for many, many years; 'tis just now that the media has decided to spotlight what has been happening all along.
The same laws have not applied; there have been and are (though mayhap a bit less so now) arbitrary determinants in play.
Positive change does occur; I know and for that I am wholeheartedly grateful!
Thank you very much, luv. :-* I am glad it spoke to you.
25th May 2015 10:10am
Our world is going backwards, though not sure we ever got forward. Just more phone cameras around to record the carnage. The answer is always JOBS. People need work to keep them in the zone, Let Apple employ our own people with all their fucking excess cash we always here about. Sorry, you gave me an opening to rail against the machine ...
Quality important ink !
Like
Quality important ink !
Like
29th May 2015 9:58pm
Granite, luv ~ :-*
A step forward, more than that back again? I am afraid, luv, very afraid at what the backlash may be to our extraordinary president who has been fought with such o'erweening vitriol from various factions.
Viable employment is always beneficial and crucial; too many struggle to survive working multiple jobs, underemployed, unemployed.
Apple and all the rest, luv.
Funny thing, in countries where the poor are better off, have better health, are better cared for, so fare the wealthy. In countries where the divide is stark and the poor suffer more while the wealthy have more, still the wealthy do not fare as well.
Here we are back to that fundamental interconnectedness... ;-p
Rail away, luv. :-* I absolutely do not mind.
Thank you very, very, very much, Granite.
A step forward, more than that back again? I am afraid, luv, very afraid at what the backlash may be to our extraordinary president who has been fought with such o'erweening vitriol from various factions.
Viable employment is always beneficial and crucial; too many struggle to survive working multiple jobs, underemployed, unemployed.
Apple and all the rest, luv.
Funny thing, in countries where the poor are better off, have better health, are better cared for, so fare the wealthy. In countries where the divide is stark and the poor suffer more while the wealthy have more, still the wealthy do not fare as well.
Here we are back to that fundamental interconnectedness... ;-p
Rail away, luv. :-* I absolutely do not mind.
Thank you very, very, very much, Granite.
A powerful statement on human nature. The larger the society the more obvious our nature becomes. The deep seeded need o control everything around us so we don't feel surrounded by anything we might be afraid of and rationalize reasons to hate happens on every level of co-existence. Yet after thousands of years of reliving and repeating the cycle, the only thing we learn as a society is how to eliminate each other rather than eliminating the problem. We spend far too much money and time policing instead of teaching!
jj
jj
29th May 2015 11:55pm
Poetryman, luv ~ :-*
Thank you so much!
You say so much here worth pondering and examining from the nature of society as it grows to a cyclical ourobouros of fear, rationalization, and hatred leading to systemic (and, mayhap, systematic) slaughter.
Eradication of fear or, at least, amelioration of it: your answer - elegant, concise, gorgeous: education.
Is that enough? I know not. I suspect, sadly, no. However, it's a grand beginning, luv! :-*
Mayhap, with some practical compassion... ;-*
Thank you so much!
You say so much here worth pondering and examining from the nature of society as it grows to a cyclical ourobouros of fear, rationalization, and hatred leading to systemic (and, mayhap, systematic) slaughter.
Eradication of fear or, at least, amelioration of it: your answer - elegant, concise, gorgeous: education.
Is that enough? I know not. I suspect, sadly, no. However, it's a grand beginning, luv! :-*
Mayhap, with some practical compassion... ;-*
25th May 2015 12:02pm
30th May 2015 1:24am
Hashman, luv ~ :-*
Purveyors of fear, indeed.
Along the way, though, we get to choose through legislation, oversight, activism. Mayhap, luv, eh? ;-p
I understand we need to do something with all the military equipment we now have in surplus; the answers here are not quick and easy. But, we need to look more broadly, consider restrictions on use, consider other venues, something...
Purveyors of fear, indeed.
Along the way, though, we get to choose through legislation, oversight, activism. Mayhap, luv, eh? ;-p
I understand we need to do something with all the military equipment we now have in surplus; the answers here are not quick and easy. But, we need to look more broadly, consider restrictions on use, consider other venues, something...
26th May 2015 2:22am
I have been so appalled by recent incidences of this sort. I am glad, though, that the spotlight remains in these injustices. Well written Savaja!
30th May 2015 3:11am
Gahdess_Worship, luv ~ :-*
It is good that focus equals change. I hope, simply, that absence of national focus does not mean a return of the same unspeakable policies and procedures, ne c'est pas?
It does not surprise me that you find such things appalling, luv, with your deep sensitivity. :-*
They are, especially the layers that comprise them.
Thank you much, luv.
It is good that focus equals change. I hope, simply, that absence of national focus does not mean a return of the same unspeakable policies and procedures, ne c'est pas?
It does not surprise me that you find such things appalling, luv, with your deep sensitivity. :-*
They are, especially the layers that comprise them.
Thank you much, luv.
Excellent conveyance on the crux of an issue that is beyond race or even species. We can't see the forest of a beautifully diverse ecosystem rich in ancient culture for one Black. Asian. Hispanic. White. Native American. Rhino. Buffalo. Dodo. Animal tree. Selfishness and greed. Power and Apathy.
30th May 2015 3:51am
Ahavati, luv ~ :-*
Thank you. You are causing me to be better than I am, consciously make connections and realizations, and for that I am deeply grateful.
I am not surprised to find such a depth of thought from you. Mayhap, twould be better to term it an expansiveness of thought for you truly are all-encompassing in your thinking.
You are, of course, absolument correct. We are so consumed with ourselves and individuals (whatever species they may be) and on so minute a scale, we fail to see how we destroy the globe and all interwoven life, that that happens now, is happening.
If I am understanding you correctly: betimes, you must explain as though I were a five year old, tis true. :-p
Here is the question, then, that plagues me: I know tis one that philosophers debate, but I cannot let it be. Is not one life of value? I cannot create one out of thin air (birth one, yes, but create, alas no); none I know of can do this thing. Life is precious. And, is it not dangerous, nay, beyond dangerous to begin to even try to determine expendableness?
It simply begins to seem to me that whatever answer there is does not reside in an either - or equation. Somehow, there is a way to honor that complex and diverse and magnificent ecosystem with culture reaching to the bones of the planet and the individual lives flourishing and languishing within that ecosystem.
Mayhap. I hope so, luv... :-*
Thank you. You are causing me to be better than I am, consciously make connections and realizations, and for that I am deeply grateful.
I am not surprised to find such a depth of thought from you. Mayhap, twould be better to term it an expansiveness of thought for you truly are all-encompassing in your thinking.
You are, of course, absolument correct. We are so consumed with ourselves and individuals (whatever species they may be) and on so minute a scale, we fail to see how we destroy the globe and all interwoven life, that that happens now, is happening.
If I am understanding you correctly: betimes, you must explain as though I were a five year old, tis true. :-p
Here is the question, then, that plagues me: I know tis one that philosophers debate, but I cannot let it be. Is not one life of value? I cannot create one out of thin air (birth one, yes, but create, alas no); none I know of can do this thing. Life is precious. And, is it not dangerous, nay, beyond dangerous to begin to even try to determine expendableness?
It simply begins to seem to me that whatever answer there is does not reside in an either - or equation. Somehow, there is a way to honor that complex and diverse and magnificent ecosystem with culture reaching to the bones of the planet and the individual lives flourishing and languishing within that ecosystem.
Mayhap. I hope so, luv... :-*
31st May 2015 1:57am
Yes; life is precious. All life. Too many people think that as one person they can't make a difference so they do nothing. They are wrong. One person has always made all the difference in the world. Every liberation of the oppressed, and every civil unrest that brought positive change began with one idea from one person who planted that seed of change, even if it was through their own death.
"Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."
"Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."
19th Dec 2015 5:50pm
Hi Savaja,
I had to look to find out if you're American but I should just have known. With all that's happened and happening there it seems like a battlefield to me where one side has no weaponry. A killing field. It sickens me. Up here in Toronto we've had this program called carding where the Police can pull you over for whatever "suspicion" they might have of you. The majority of those pulled over have been black. It's like we're moving back in time. Your poem is an excellent description of the madness that has overtaken the Police in your country. God help us it never comes here in full force, though it's here all the same in a limited fashion. Let us hope that history doesn't look back on this time with too much more sadness than it will already. It has to stop.
John
I had to look to find out if you're American but I should just have known. With all that's happened and happening there it seems like a battlefield to me where one side has no weaponry. A killing field. It sickens me. Up here in Toronto we've had this program called carding where the Police can pull you over for whatever "suspicion" they might have of you. The majority of those pulled over have been black. It's like we're moving back in time. Your poem is an excellent description of the madness that has overtaken the Police in your country. God help us it never comes here in full force, though it's here all the same in a limited fashion. Let us hope that history doesn't look back on this time with too much more sadness than it will already. It has to stop.
John
Ahhh, thinlane, luv ~ :-*
You write so discerningly and accurately of what plagues too many nations. Tis of constant amazement to me this brouhaha over some construct of difference: color, gender, ethnicity, culture, class, race, disability, what have you. If there's perceived difference, we appear to attach right to that and treat it as some profound treatise and absolutism. Such incredible ridiculousness in which we engage, ne c'est pas? ;-p
We are all fundamentally interconnected, after all. That's tremendous and critically important for when we hurt another, we hurt ourselves. I believe that is far, far, far more real than we realize. Thank you, luv, for coming and leaving your thoughts - tis much appreciated. :-*
You write so discerningly and accurately of what plagues too many nations. Tis of constant amazement to me this brouhaha over some construct of difference: color, gender, ethnicity, culture, class, race, disability, what have you. If there's perceived difference, we appear to attach right to that and treat it as some profound treatise and absolutism. Such incredible ridiculousness in which we engage, ne c'est pas? ;-p
We are all fundamentally interconnected, after all. That's tremendous and critically important for when we hurt another, we hurt ourselves. I believe that is far, far, far more real than we realize. Thank you, luv, for coming and leaving your thoughts - tis much appreciated. :-*
