Greg Gaul Poet Free verse

Message For Whites

You're bracing for 
the hubristic lecture
it's not here

The crux:
unvarnished understanding
of how blacks see
their outlook for life

Only narrow options:
they can give in, go through
or go around - a predicate path

Try to feel what it's like
to be born black today
soul-deadening suppression
systemically smothers patience

Crime, drugs, gangs,
rebellious pride seem
viable options for those
who may not see thirty
four thousand lynchings in 
Jim Crow South till now
do lives matter

Blacks feel the constant fight
Blacks feel identity loss
Blacks feel crime gives cover
Blacks feel numbing is okay
Blacks feel tribal is safe
Blacks feel whites are asleep

Anthropologists say humanity
has Nubian origins
from the beginning we are one

Gandhi, Mandela, King
were proponents of
compassion, forgiveness, love
some whites reciprocate with
ignoring, masking, denial
too few understand
Blacks feel trapped

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John Watt June 15, 2020 at 10:15 AM Greg, thank you for your contribution to the contest, and congrats for your placement. You've written of some very good points to be reminded of. ~ John Greg Gaul June 15, 2020 at 5:37 PM John, I appreciate your visit and also your work having seen your own recent placements. No doubt, this was a tricky topic, making your comments all the more encouraging. Thanks.

Richard Lamoureux June 15, 2020 at 7:33 AM I hope so Greg, do drop by for a visit. Greg Gaul June 15, 2020 at 5:35 PM Thanks Richard.

Richard Lamoureux June 14, 2020 at 6:58 PM Thanks for your response and intention. The contest was open to all people of colour who have had to deal with racism as a result of their skin colour/ culture. Being many people do not have Avatars I have no way of telling. It is not my intention to single you out. Forgive my assumption that you ignored the spirit of the contest. Greg Gaul June 14, 2020 at 7:08 PM Thanks for your understanding and openness. Awkward as this turned out, I have no ill feelings toward you at all. It may seem strange but I think the contest may have actually opened some minds. That's a good thing.

Richard Lamoureux June 14, 2020 at 4:12 PM Unfortunately I am not able to change the results of the contest because it is finalized. I’m disappointed that you entered against the rules of the contest and the contests intent. By doings so you prevented someone with direct experience from being able to tell their story. I am not denying the significance of the piece but rather that you chose to ignore the spirit of the contest. Greg Gaul June 14, 2020 at 5:59 PM Apologies. I did not understand that white people were excluded. Had I known that, I would not have entered. I took your instructions ( just reread them) as you were looking for the insights of persons of color. In this case blacks. I faithfully delivered that. You could have found out I was white with a soup mail. I had no intent to confuse or misrepresent. Actually, just the opposite. I was excited that you were looking for a true representation. Sorry this happened. There were other white entrants though. I've been tied up today, so forgive me if I have not been prompt to respond. Be well.

Richard Lamoureux June 14, 2020 at 1:14 PM Please explain what you mean by advocacy poem? Thanks Rick. Greg Gaul June 14, 2020 at 3:17 PM Advocacy poetry promotes a cause. This is systemic racism. Input for this came directly from personal interviews with several black convicts, one had done 20 years for armed robbery. His comments were most articulate. I am white and was part of a not for profit group working with black convicts trying to reenter society. This poem is highly charged. Sam Hamill and other poets did advocacy poetry recently. You may disagree, I respect that, but the content is not imagined or made up by me.

Krish Radhakrishna June 14, 2020 at 11:53 AM Congrats on a brilliant write and your top win! To be discriminated against is the worst thing one can experience. Let’s hope the future generation gets better education and changes for the better. Greg Gaul June 14, 2020 at 3:20 PM you are so correct. Thanks for supporting the cause and I appreciate your kind comments.

Richard Lamoureux June 14, 2020 at 10:28 AM Hi Greg, I noticed that you commented that this is an advocacy poem. Am I to assume you are not a person of colour? Please let me know as I will need to modify the results. If this is true to your personal experience, I wish to honour your words. Either way The poetry is exceptional and moving. Greg Gaul June 14, 2020 at 11:45 AM This is an advocacy poem. Thanks for your award.

Susan Ashley June 11, 2019 at 8:34 PM Your potent pen poignantly depicts a sad truth that so many must endure and far too many don't see or don't want to see. A compelling message for humanity, about lack thereof, spilled from your vivid and powerful ink, Greg. Congratulations on your excellent win. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan Greg Gaul June 11, 2019 at 10:28 PM Susan, this is an edgy topic that insights strong response often. Your support and kind remarks are most helpful and make me feel that it's worth it.

Line Gauthier June 7, 2019 at 11:03 PM Congrats on your win, Greg, with this insightful poem. Greg Gaul June 8, 2019 at 5:48 PM Thank you Line. As an advocacy poem, this is a challenging verse. Your understanding and kind comments are most welcome.

Elaine George April 26, 2018 at 7:36 AM Very powerful! what you have written here. Greg. Why do so many humans feel the need to tear others down to build themselves up? It is my belief that there is only one race of people on this earth - the human race. Greg Gaul April 26, 2018 at 8:05 PM Elaine, you get it. We need more people who think in the first place and think like you. Kindness and compassion will win out. Thank you for your comment and the read.