Read Between the Lines
The ultimate test of the times:
United in togetherness
We stand tall with heads held high
Shoulders back
Chests out
Lined up straighter than arrows
With the forward mindset
Locked and loaded on
Our target for success!
Deal with this they said:
"Right is wrong and wrong is right
Up is down, in is out
What we once smiled at
Is now frowned upon."
Do I have your attention?
We have been educated
With the unbridled knowledge
Of our ancestors and the experience
Of our predecessors from the
Injustice they've suffered
But yet have soldiered on
Valorous in spirit.
Even though "Willie" still lives to this day.
Giving up or out
Isn't in our vocabulary
One hand reaches out to the next
And so forth and so on
We came here together
We fight here today
We leave when tomorrow comes
When there's no one left to stay
When rapturous spirits
Ascend into the Heavens
Or the "syndrome" never again sees
The light of day.
Do I still have your attention?
The reward is not a precious metal
But the feeling in your soul
As peace settles
And takes residence in your life.
Smiles and clear consciences
Aid in the balancing of educating
Youthful minds as they set forth
On their journey through life.
So when it's their turn to
Be called upon to continue on
They too will be
United in togetherness
Standing tall with heads held high
Shoulders back
Chests out
Lined up straighter than arrows
With the forward mindset
Locked and loaded on
Their target for success.
"What's forward is now backwards
It's every man for himself."
Do I still have your attention?
With one hand reaching out to the next
And so forth and so on
We have educated them
With the unbridled knowledge
Of their ancestors and the experience
Of their predecessors from the
Injustice they've suffered
But have soldiered on
Valorous in spirit.
Because in today's world
Where a society has embraced the negative
Allowed the unjustified killing of innocents
During "routine" traffic stops
Forever traumatizing families and
Blatantly decriminalizing witnessed guilt
Where known killers still walk the streets
And will never serve a day of time
A truthful insight is the only way
To keep our children ours.
We shouldn't have to
Read between the lines for anything
But now that you have
Isn't it worth your attention?
Copyright © Juanita Smalls | Year Posted 2020
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