deepundergroundpoetry.com
BILLY - THE REVOLUTIONIST!
I feel like a revolutionist today, folks!
Armed & ready to fight prejudice -
With my words!
I had a dose of it last night.
Was told I was not welcome at a certain wine bar,
Situated here, near where I live.
Was told to watch my back -
Just because I'm English!
I only went along for the Karaoke...
Unfortunately,
The guy never saw the person behind the mask -
Never gave him a chance!
After all, I could've been the English guy,
Who fought to save his daughter's life,
The surgeon; instead, fighting discrimination.
SO NOW... NOW
I want to bring poetry to the masses here,
Where my words can ring loud and true.
Mind you -
It could be a tall order,
This establishment not lending itself well,
To such sophistication on a quiet Wednesday night!
Revolutionists usually die a painful ugly death, don't they?
For someone still frightened of his own shadow -
I have a long way to go.
You may call me THE REVOLUTIONIST...
If you wish.
Armed & ready to fight prejudice -
With my words!
I had a dose of it last night.
Was told I was not welcome at a certain wine bar,
Situated here, near where I live.
Was told to watch my back -
Just because I'm English!
I only went along for the Karaoke...
Unfortunately,
The guy never saw the person behind the mask -
Never gave him a chance!
After all, I could've been the English guy,
Who fought to save his daughter's life,
The surgeon; instead, fighting discrimination.
SO NOW... NOW
I want to bring poetry to the masses here,
Where my words can ring loud and true.
Mind you -
It could be a tall order,
This establishment not lending itself well,
To such sophistication on a quiet Wednesday night!
Revolutionists usually die a painful ugly death, don't they?
For someone still frightened of his own shadow -
I have a long way to go.
You may call me THE REVOLUTIONIST...
If you wish.
Published 13th Oct 2023
Author's Note
(272)Venturing out on the town alone at night, unfortunately, makes me a natural target... so does being English!
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
likes 14
reading list entries 3
comments 34
reads 394
Commenting Preference:
The author encourages honest critique.
13th Oct 2023 6:33pm
Engaging write... I enjoyed this one.. pulled me in... made me think... so relatable... I'm not English... but I have had similar situations where I was the other...
13th Oct 2023 6:45pm
Wow, that's sad, Lil. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, especially as it's not always easy to admit discrimination, no matter how small. The guy only said a few 'small' words but already, it's had a big effect on me with the way I now view where I live & much more. :-(
13th Oct 2023 6:53pm
I love this! It sounds like you could stand up to anyone. I wish I had felt that way at times.
13th Oct 2023 7:00pm
Hmmm, yeah. Not sure I stood up to anyone though. I just ignored him once I got the jist of what he was trying to tell me. It is unlikely I will be going back to that establishment cos it's hard going somewhere you do not feel welcome or comfortable at, right? It's a shame too, cos I live in a small town where there isn't that much nightlife anyway & I really had a good time there.
13th Oct 2023 8:05pm
13th Oct 2023 8:07pm
Hope you're right! Thank you. I'm still processing what it all means really, tbh. :-)
13th Oct 2023 7:31pm
13th Oct 2023 7:36pm
Thank you, Debbie. I had to get this one out there, even if it is a bit gloomy, lol. :-)
13th Oct 2023 8:44pm
13th Oct 2023 9:15pm
14th Oct 2023 1:38am
Man, pity them for not making you feel welcomed into their business. I swear some people are just rude and full of shit. It shouldn't matter what or who you are, if I am giving you my business. Find somewhere else that is worthy of your presence.
It was a customer inside the venue that was threatening me, not the management. The bar staff were just indifferent towards me. The threesome on an adjacent table were lovely though. They kindly shared their alcoholic jagerbomb shots with me but warned... 'shhhh' (keep it quiet) don't say you're English! 😊
14th Oct 2023 1:46am
I would rather not give them any more of my patronage tbh, Maple. I feel so angry about it all, so much so that if the bar were soon to fall into administration, I would not care. There's hardly anywhere to go in this bigoted town as it is, lol. 😆
14th Oct 2023 7:59pm
You’re your own wine bar filled with all the optics and
and an open mind slumped comfortably in front of
the telly . Hmm 🤔 not so bad . 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
and an open mind slumped comfortably in front of
the telly . Hmm 🤔 not so bad . 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
14th Oct 2023 8:03pm
14th Oct 2023 4:08am
14th Oct 2023 11:29am
Lol. I need a stiff drink after that experience! Thank you for reading, Bat. 😊
16th Oct 2023 11:55pm
Their loss honestly. Your terrible experience has lent itself to an awesome expression.
LJ
LJ
17th Oct 2023 00:01am
Thank you, LJ. I am tempted to go back next Sunday, just to be defiant, not because the cliental were particularly sophisticated. Don't get me wrong, I am no snob. I have also been on the wrong side of snobbery too, so I know how that feels. I need some advice. Should I go back? After all, it was only one old man that got in my face. Wad d'ya think?
17th Oct 2023 00:26am
Enjoyed this very much. Reminds me of being with my late husband in public. He had MD and was tracted, ventaled and in a wheelchair. Some spoke their minds quite loudly, others not so much, but either way they were definitely heard very loud and clear to us. Keep standing up for yourself, you deserve it!! 🥰❤💯
17th Oct 2023 00:48am
Thank you, monovox. Some people can be so cruel. I feel for you & the experience you had to face. I would have lost my temper with them on your behalf, I'm afraid! :-(
19th Oct 2023 2:59am
Be the light! A group of misfits are always the best company. Originality is memorable, compliance is never.
19th Oct 2023 3:39am
Thank you, Styxian. I will definitely go back there one day. It's really grating me. I will never comply with their wishes, haha! 😊
21st Oct 2023 8:16am
I just love the way you have with words. You tell a lovely yet sad yet strong story. You have a lovely way with words. I can't think of big fancy words to describe it because im a simple girl but. ... very good work!!! An so true.
21st Oct 2023 11:59am
Thank you for your kind words. Nothing fancy about this write either. Just the rantings of an angry old man venting about the injustice he feels, really. 😊
22nd Oct 2023 7:15pm
I am used to hearing of people of colour being spoken to in the way you were because they are mistaken for not being British when in fact they were born and grew up there. Made me wonder if you are an Englishman living in another part of the British Isles (eg nationalistic parts of Wales, Ireland or Scotland).
22nd Oct 2023 7:19pm
Yes, I am indeed an Englishman living in another part of Great Britain. There's still a tribal element to many people's thinking, in my view.
Anonymous
- Edited 4th Dec 2023 7:45pm
23rd Oct 2023 5:39pm
<< post removed >>
Her kind, huh? How patronising! Thank you for sharing your thoughts & experiences with me on this. It is sad & upsetting, you are right. Who the fuck are you?
25th Oct 2023 6:47pm
Wow super poem and I enjoyed the play on words, nice distraction from the horrific scenes that keep playing on tape and the news. Kudos!!
Plz also read and comment my newest poem too.
Plz also read and comment my newest poem too.
25th Oct 2023 6:56pm
I don't see it as a 'nice' distraction however because the abuse really upset me. Regarding Palestine, it's just awful. I am frustrated seeing innocent people (on both sides of the Israeli/Gazan border) murdered. I wish I had the answer. I don't feel comfortable talking about something I cannot fix.
25th Oct 2023 7:00pm
By nice I only meant the word play and sarcastic poetics as I found the language admirable, and not that the topic was nice noooh Billy u got me wrong.
Though I should admit that your English is a bit too hard for me to comprehend what you said completely.
Though I should admit that your English is a bit too hard for me to comprehend what you said completely.
25th Oct 2023 7:10pm
