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Xenophobia

“Prejudice wears a variety of hats, none of them becoming.”
~ Kevin Ansbro

Is it fear or is it hatred
Of a stranger, the unknown
The premise that the unworthy
Could deprive you of your throne?

Is it feeling self-important 
With a right to underrate
Foreign people with behaviour 
Prone to sow the seeds of hate?

Selfish, haughty, prejudicial
Are the stickers on your back. 
Do your customs and religion
Make you special? What the heck! 

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Words with ‘X’ - Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Constance La France
      Placed 3rd
© 28th April 2023

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Robert Lindley Date: 9/10/2023 4:07:00 PM Paul my good friend, it is in most people's nature to be wary about strangers. One just never knows until they have had time to see and then to properly assess that person. Caution is usually a wise path to take. A very fin poem my friend. God bless you. Login to Reply

Panagiota Romios Date: 6/22/2023 12:33:00 PM Sending Congratulations to a wondrous poet Pangie xx 6.22.2023 Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 6/23/2023 1:05:00 AM Thank you dear Pangie....your lovely comment and congrats are both truly appreciated. Have a nice weekend, my friend. // paul

Leon Enriquez Date: 6/9/2023 7:36:00 PM Dear Paul: Nicely said. Leon Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 6/11/2023 1:18:00 AM Good morning, my friend. Always a pleasure to have you knocking at my door! Hope you are keeping well and active. Best regards // paul

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 5/29/2023 6:51:00 AM Paul my friend, congratulations , this poem deserved a win, so glad it was you. Hugs and blessings, and warm regards Jennifer. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 6/6/2023 9:45:00 AM Thank you for a double visit, Jenny. Your encouraging words and congrats are truly appreciated, my friend. Warm regards & Hugs. // paul

Valsa George Date: 5/23/2023 8:28:00 PM A stranger will be looked upon with suspicion initially. But even after proving his nobility and worth, if he is segregated on the basis of prejudices, it is abominable. How a person conducts himself should be the criterion for judging and treating one. Beautifully written dear Paul Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/26/2023 1:36:00 AM Your insightful comments are meaningful and fall right on target, dear Valsa. Thank you for contributing positive thoughts to my poem. Have a lovely day! Regards // paul

Jan Allison Date: 5/11/2023 5:16:00 AM Dropping back with many congrats on your win Paul:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/13/2023 11:41:00 PM Thank you, Jan. I still have not found time to properly check the winners' list! Regards & Hugs // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 5/5/2023 1:22:00 AM - Congratulations on your win in the contest, Paul :) - hugs Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2023 6:23:00 AM Thank you, Anne-Lise :) Congrats to you as well!! Hugs // paul

Paula Goldsmith Date: 5/4/2023 9:38:00 AM Back with Congratulations on your win. I enjoyed reading your wonderful write again.  Have a great/blessed day............... Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2023 6:07:00 AM Thank you so much for the congrats and a double visit, Paula. Hope you're having a lovely week. Regards // paul

Constance La France Date: 5/4/2023 6:55:00 AM Paul, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful poem with us in my Writing Challenge congratulations ! Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2023 6:06:00 AM Thank you, Constance. Let me go take a look at the winners' list :) Regards // paul

Alfonso II Warally Ngengethe Mussabwa Chris Date: 5/3/2023 9:21:00 PM Congratulations on your win in the Contest ...Paul. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2023 6:04:00 AM Thank you for stopping by with congrats, Alfonso. Regards // paul

Jan Allison Date: 4/30/2023 1:12:00 PM An excellent write Paul .I've got to say I have no fear of coming to Malta and meeting my wonderful poetry pals ... I send love and hugs to you and the family until we meet again. Please tell Sheila I have the fridge magnet in pride of place on the freezer:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2023 5:12:00 AM Hi Jan...sorry about the late reply, but life has been so hectic these past days; still catching up. It will always be a pleasure to have you visiting our small island. We are glad you found space for the fridge magnet :) Regards & Hugs // paul

Jennifer Proxenos Date: 4/30/2023 4:43:00 AM New comers to a country, a committee, a school, a poetry site, politics, encompasses all walks of life. Please know that others want to asses you first, blend in, don't be egotistical, be humble, yet show your worth quietly, carefully. otherwise be prepared to be left out! Paul I love this write, some newcomers to anyplace, anymore are bombastic. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 5/9/2023 5:56:00 AM Exactly, Jenny! People will be treated according to how they behave, react and interact with others. Thank you for your insightful feedback. ~ Warm regards & Hugs // paul

Joanna Daniel Date: 4/29/2023 2:18:00 AM Well written on the theme, Paul:) Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/29/2023 5:56:00 AM Thank you, Jo. Have a nice weekend // paul

Paula Goldsmith Date: 4/28/2023 1:39:00 PM A wonderful write for the "X" contest. Good Luck. Have a great day/weekend........................ Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/29/2023 1:12:00 AM I am pleased you enjoyed my offering, Paula...thank you and best regards // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 4/28/2023 1:32:00 PM - You are right in your words, Paul ... selfish, haughty and prejudicial - Excellent writing, best wishes in the contest - hugs and happy weekend :) Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/29/2023 1:11:00 AM Thank you on all counts, Anne-Lise :) May you have an enjoyable weekend. Hugs // paul

Panagiota Romios Date: 4/28/2023 9:43:00 AM Perfectoin in poem! Paul., terrific … It is a most hopeles! state of affairs, when one polucal party here, slams the other with ghost phobias of all kinds. A great way to lose an election.-‘) Scaring with lies is immoral… Hitler was a master at this. Our country has not learned to stop ignoramus labeling of groups. It makes us like rabid dogs I see a trophy, for you! Pangie Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/29/2023 12:57:00 AM Good morning Pangie, and thank you for stopping by, contributing with your comments to add flavour to my poem. I wish you a lovely weekend, my friend. // paul

Victor Buhagiar Date: 4/28/2023 7:53:00 AM Fear is a path that leads to loss. Great poem. Best of luck. Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/28/2023 7:57:00 AM Thank you for stopping by, Victor. Hope all is well on your side of the woods. Regards // paul

Alexis Y. Date: 4/28/2023 7:19:00 AM Hi Paul, This is a good poem on the chosen word. I had to look it up( I knew it was fear of something). To be suspicious and wary of a stranger( or foreigners) at first is the first reaction. But to hate and dislike them is not right. It looks like a winner to me. Best wishes in the contest. Have a great weekend my friend:-) Alexis Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/28/2023 8:07:00 AM Hi Alexis...to be suspicious is in our nature, but being racist and spreading hate does not fit in my way of thinking. Thank you for reading and commenting, my friend. Regards and have a nice weekend // paul

Daniel Turner Date: 4/28/2023 6:16:00 AM I cant say about other countries Paul bu over here one looks at a stranger as a potential threat. Obviously we guage people by appearance and facial expressions at first glance. I think that would be normal anywhere. Great poem, something to think about. Great to see a post from you my friend. Have a large weekend:) Login to Reply Paul Callus Date: 4/28/2023 6:52:00 AM Hi Danny! Thank you for your honest feedback. Even over here on this little island, some people are afraid of 'potential threats', but I suppose that's part of human nature. On the whole, many foreigners manage to fit in and get on well with the locals. ~ Happy weekend // paul