deepundergroundpoetry.com
KNEE AND ROPE
this hatred
born of
fear
and envy
in a culture
of greed
always
pressed
the neck
as knee
or rope
or chain
or dope
or simple
deprivation
and decorated
the limbs
of trees
with strong
brown
bodies
and took
the best
you had
and called
it ours
and kept
brain
and
brawn
and
beauty
underfoot
but
called
it free
and then
dismissed
your rage
and god knows
had you
not been
shackled
you could
have owned
world
and may yet
born of
fear
and envy
in a culture
of greed
always
pressed
the neck
as knee
or rope
or chain
or dope
or simple
deprivation
and decorated
the limbs
of trees
with strong
brown
bodies
and took
the best
you had
and called
it ours
and kept
brain
and
brawn
and
beauty
underfoot
but
called
it free
and then
dismissed
your rage
and god knows
had you
not been
shackled
you could
have owned
world
and may yet
Published 4th Jun 2020
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comments 10
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The author encourages honest critique.
4th Jun 2020 2:09pm
Sad but true. Whoever came up with the idea that one person could be owmed by another should be hung upside down by his balls. Yes, I’m sure it was a man! Wonderful reminder of mans cruelty to himself. Thanks🌹🌹🙏
4th Jun 2020 5:40pm
I think our culture allowed some men to behave as they have, but as things shift we'll see more of women displaying the same kinds of ruthless, self centered behaviors.
But I agree with the sentiment here.
Thank you so much for commenting.
You are appreciated.
But I agree with the sentiment here.
Thank you so much for commenting.
You are appreciated.
4th Jun 2020 5:06pm
All this stuff has been said before. Yet, here we are again.
Thanks so much.
Your comment is much appreciated.
Thanks so much.
Your comment is much appreciated.
4th Jun 2020 5:47pm
4th Jun 2020 8:00pm
Thanks so much Ahavati.
The form was kind of spontaneous, though when I worked on the poem I tried longer lines and then centering the whole thing, it seemed to want this form. So I'm glad it worked.
Thanks again.
J.
The form was kind of spontaneous, though when I worked on the poem I tried longer lines and then centering the whole thing, it seemed to want this form. So I'm glad it worked.
Thanks again.
J.
5th Jun 2020 2:58pm
5th Jun 2020 3:20pm
Thank you so much, L.
I was happy to see some lull in the rioting in many places.
It does so much damage to the movement, not to mention the property of the innocent.
Thank you again.
J.
I was happy to see some lull in the rioting in many places.
It does so much damage to the movement, not to mention the property of the innocent.
Thank you again.
J.
7th Jun 2020 3:27am
There are those whose racism can be seen and confronted
Then there's the more subtle non-violent but deeply oppressive almost friendly and polite like "honest" Iago personality
These people have an outward persona that is loved by almost everyone who is fooled or even willing to play along
These pretenders can do a great deal of damage when they "don't see colour" and care for "all lives matter" in dissent
Then there's the more subtle non-violent but deeply oppressive almost friendly and polite like "honest" Iago personality
These people have an outward persona that is loved by almost everyone who is fooled or even willing to play along
These pretenders can do a great deal of damage when they "don't see colour" and care for "all lives matter" in dissent
7th Jun 2020 3:33pm
Thanks, Laluma, for your comments.
All we can do, I think, is try.
Like everything else, racism a matter of degree. Some respect other races. Some can only tolerate. Some admire. My elderly in laws are stubbornly, overtly racist. My father admired the black people he worked with and couldn't praise them enough, but was infuriated when I dated a black woman.
Regardless of where you and I stand on the racism spectrum, a good man or woman should be able to live freely, and no law abiding citizen should be afraid to walk the street.
I hope we can fix that.
All we can do, I think, is try.
Like everything else, racism a matter of degree. Some respect other races. Some can only tolerate. Some admire. My elderly in laws are stubbornly, overtly racist. My father admired the black people he worked with and couldn't praise them enough, but was infuriated when I dated a black woman.
Regardless of where you and I stand on the racism spectrum, a good man or woman should be able to live freely, and no law abiding citizen should be afraid to walk the street.
I hope we can fix that.
