deepundergroundpoetry.com
What Happens?
What happens when a child is told “Don’t do that...”?
“Don’t run (in the house, down
the hall, in the mud, with open
scissors, from a uniformed
officer when he tells you STOP).”
“Don’t play with (fire, your
food, your brother’s cap pistol,
the clean laundry, the black kids
up the street, anyone ‘different’,
for that matter).”
“Don’t speak (unless you’re
spoken to, to strangers, if no
one speaks English, to those not
of your kind).”
“Don’t touch (what doesn’t
belong to you, strong liquor,
cigarettes, drugs, your baby
sister’s wee wee, your father’s
hunting rifle).”
“Don’t go (where you don’t
belong, where you’re not
needed, or wanted, welcomed,
equal, better... the same).”
“Don’t let down (your guard,
your hair, your defenses, the
Walls that keep minds
imprisoned and families
separated.”
So tell me, what happens, when you say
“Don’t.”
?
“Don’t run (in the house, down
the hall, in the mud, with open
scissors, from a uniformed
officer when he tells you STOP).”
“Don’t play with (fire, your
food, your brother’s cap pistol,
the clean laundry, the black kids
up the street, anyone ‘different’,
for that matter).”
“Don’t speak (unless you’re
spoken to, to strangers, if no
one speaks English, to those not
of your kind).”
“Don’t touch (what doesn’t
belong to you, strong liquor,
cigarettes, drugs, your baby
sister’s wee wee, your father’s
hunting rifle).”
“Don’t go (where you don’t
belong, where you’re not
needed, or wanted, welcomed,
equal, better... the same).”
“Don’t let down (your guard,
your hair, your defenses, the
Walls that keep minds
imprisoned and families
separated.”
So tell me, what happens, when you say
“Don’t.”
?
Published 18th Jan 2019
Author's Note
Entered in the DUP competition “tear down the wall!”, hosted by Poetryman.
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 10
reading list entries 2
comments 30
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Anonymous
- Edited 21st Sep 2020 1:45pm
18th Jan 2019 8:18am
<< post removed >>
Point certainly well taken, John. My thanks for coming by to comment.
And glad to see you’re currently Poet of the Week.
And glad to see you’re currently Poet of the Week.
Anonymous
- Edited 30th May 2019 3:51pm
18th Jan 2019 12:22pm
<< post removed >>
Thank you, my friend, for stopping in. And since I wrote this for the competition, my question was directed at one particular person ( see the first comment - from John Brady). And the answer is: they go and do it anyway.
🐾
🐾
Anonymous
18th Jan 2019 3:56pm
Jade,
That is wonderfully poignant, and well written statement.
Really great.
Matthew.
That is wonderfully poignant, and well written statement.
Really great.
Matthew.
Thank you very much, puppy.
And since I wrote this for the competition, my question was directed at one particular person (see the first comment - from John Brady). And the answer is: they go and do it anyway.
🐾
And since I wrote this for the competition, my question was directed at one particular person (see the first comment - from John Brady). And the answer is: they go and do it anyway.
🐾
18th Jan 2019 6:59pm
I liked this. It was fun to read. So many rules in the world of life. Great write...xo
Thank you most kindly, dear, I appreciate you coming in for a read. And by the way, the answer is: they go and do it anyway.
Welcome to the Deep.
Welcome to the Deep.
18th Jan 2019 10:27pm
19th Jan 2019 00:23am
19th Jan 2019 1:32am
From that "don't" springs a sometimes perverse temptation. Fine work Jadey. Ninja is kind of a rebel herself.
19th Jan 2019 1:47pm
Ah yes, my friend; Ninja does complete our circle. And your words give no question to your understanding.., you have your life experiences. x
Jadey🐾
Jadey🐾
19th Jan 2019 9:26am
To the point in very vivid ways of don'ts should be followed while others should be ignored for being ignorant, prejudice, arrogant and tribal.
Great ink Priestess!!! 😉😊💐👏
Thomas🐺
Great ink Priestess!!! 😉😊💐👏
Thomas🐺
19th Jan 2019 1:42pm
Thank you, dear Priest.., you’ve embraced the intentions as I felt you would, and given my express a great honor.
Jade Tiger🐅
Jade Tiger🐅
19th Jan 2019 11:49pm
Very welcome, dear Priestess...Thank you for knowing me so well...🌺
Lol kinda scary that you do...😊
Your express should be honored and sent to a large publication for this world of ours to read.👏💐
Wolfman🐺
Lol kinda scary that you do...😊
Your express should be honored and sent to a large publication for this world of ours to read.👏💐
Wolfman🐺
20th Jan 2019 4:32am
Oh dear, you needn’t be scared of me. I just felt it... why do you think in our first encounter, I called you Priest?
🐾
🐾
Not really scared just amazing to me how you read me so well Priestess...Like you've known of my being in another plateau. I've wanted to ask you many times why you started to call me Priest.
.I'm curious why, felt you would tell me sometime on one of my inks or message me.💐 ..
Maybe we both have read " The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran...😉🌹
🐺💙
.I'm curious why, felt you would tell me sometime on one of my inks or message me.💐 ..
Maybe we both have read " The Prophet" by Khalil Gibran...😉🌹
🐺💙
20th Jan 2019 00:57am
20th Jan 2019 4:29am
20th Jan 2019 3:31pm
The queen of vagueness is back to add, that yes, it's a good thing.
I love your poetry Jade. Love reading it to my honey often, as well. Good entertainment value you offer, girl!
I love your poetry Jade. Love reading it to my honey often, as well. Good entertainment value you offer, girl!
20th Jan 2019 7:40pm
Aw thank you, sweetheart, I love that you read my ink to your honey! I feel all warm & fuzzy now...🐰
20th Jan 2019 5:01am
20th Jan 2019 6:44am
Thank you, Andy! I remember, not so long ago, when you trumpeted in my 500th... my how time flies.
21st Jan 2019 2:56am
21st Jan 2019 3:00am
21st Jan 2019 3:16am
21st Jan 2019 4:28pm
M’kay.
Say, Andy... did I tell you I plan to do this year’s NaPoWriMo in April, did I tell you, hmm, did I?
Ummm🤔
No, I didn’t. I’ll tell you later why I brought it up... after I explain what that is what in case you don’t know.
🤭
🤫
Say, Andy... did I tell you I plan to do this year’s NaPoWriMo in April, did I tell you, hmm, did I?
Ummm🤔
No, I didn’t. I’ll tell you later why I brought it up... after I explain what that is what in case you don’t know.
🤭
🤫
21st Jan 2019 7:21pm
21st Jan 2019 5:57am
You've made very a good point, Jade. I really enjoyed the poem. Best of luck in the competition! He will do exactly that, or try his damndest.
Anyway... Thanks for sharing!
Anyway... Thanks for sharing!
Hey, thank you most kindly, NB!
(I’ve decided to call you “NB” - I hope that’s okay with you - because I don’t know your name - which is okay by me, just as long as I can call you something friendly, like “NB”...)
🤭
🤗
(I’ve decided to call you “NB” - I hope that’s okay with you - because I don’t know your name - which is okay by me, just as long as I can call you something friendly, like “NB”...)
🤭
🤗
