Notes About The Poem
"The Mothership", 2024, original encaustic collage
Not Loud Enough
Recently I heard of some third world migrant
Complaining that unlike back in her home
There is no culture here, and
That “white culture” doesn’t even exist.
My first thought,
She sure is confident in her ignorance.
But then realize maybe she can’t see it
Because it’s too subtle for her,
Not loud enough and colorful enough
To get and hold her attention.
And that what is loud and colorful here
Is often just so damn cheap and tawdry.
Western culture for the most part
Is derivative of other older cultures;
The printing press and gunpowder
Of Asia for instance,
The fine woven fabrics of Persia
Spices of India, and foods of everywhere.
What the West has that stands out
Is a tradition of revolutionary ideas,
From Greece to the American Constitution.
And it’s these ideas that have freed the individual
From the dogma and chains of tradition
And benefitted the world
With its innovations;
From abolition, to electricity,
Transportation, to rock ‘n roll.
Maybe being from a third world country
Those things don’t excite you.
Maybe you enjoy having slaves,
Simple dirt floors and bright dusty clothes.
I for one also like acoustic music the most
Just as I do traveling by foot.
But there is nothing
Like the sound of an electric guitar
Tearing through space, tearing my mind open
And leaving it transcended of time and space.
Besides all the obvious attributes of white culture;
Pasta, pizza, burgers, hot dogs and whiskey
Are the subtle ones
That are more of an acquired taste
Sci-fi novels, quantum physics and the notion
Of where we’ll go
Through that disruptive tear in time and space.
(9/21/26)
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a
Premium Membership.
