Timothy Hicks Poet Dramatic Verse

Someone Else Entirely

You call me an opposer of racism,
a defender of human decency.
You call me a colorful quilt
filled with vast intricacies 
You call me a kindred soul,
one who is quick to lend a helping hand.
You call me slow to speak,
a spark of sunshine in a shadowed land.
But, my friends, I am none of these things.
I am just a single person, born into privilege,
living in a world that has too much of everything.
Lacking exposure the same is true for prejudice.
Due to lack of wounds, times of stress,
and insufferable heartaches.
This wee little heart of mine is just waiting to break.
So do me a favor and imagine me as someone else.
It may take some time, but I have faith you will do it well.
Imagine me as the son of a rich plantation owner.
With the ritziest of friends and the snobbiest of conversations,
when oppressive slavery was the norm within our nation.
Imagine a hot summer day,
and a guy named Big Joe
just whipping away.
I'd like to think I'd stop the whippers hand
with a confident and reaffirming squeeze.
"You have no right to harm this man!
Walk it off, Joe. Is it perhaps the sultry breeze
that's fogging up your judgement?".
But who's to say for sure?
Back then the times were different.
I'd still be the same person deep down
... but what about the mask I take off
when no one else is around?
Imagine me the father of a psychopath,
would I help him get away
with murder simply because he is my blood?
Would I unlock his handcuffs, whispering, "Run son, Run!"
Imagine me in a gang of bullies
making kids feel lower than dirt.
Cracking mean jokes until they burst
... red roses from a gun
(and I thought we were all just having fun).
Imagine me as someone else entirely, 
would you still see the raging fire within me?

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Caleah Buil May 31, 2013 at 1:02 PM Wow, really makes one think too. I enjoyed this one, Timothy. During different times people had different state of minds. But I agree with Richard. I still see you trying to do the right thing. Written very well! Timothy Hicks May 31, 2013 at 11:15 PM Thank you Caleah... it does my heart (and ego) good when I see how many comments you've made on my various pieces... it's the greatest problem to have, worrying about all the amount I have to respond too... LOL! I believe I would try to do the right thing... but it wouldn't be as easy, however!

Richard D Seal May 30, 2013 at 7:33 AM Somehow Tim I see you as the agitator/protester for right over wrong in any past era, never insulting but get your message across in powerful words. Keep up the drip drip drip. You know those people that implied writing is a waste of time, they are wrong. Take care, Richard Timothy Hicks May 30, 2013 at 11:23 PM Your encouragement means a lot to me... a lot of times I wish the people I knew would see words like I do... endless possibilities.

Poet Tacito May 30, 2013 at 7:13 AM Turning perception on its damn head! Good. I can't stand how some people define perception. These people have turned perception into sugar-coated judgment. Timothy Hicks May 30, 2013 at 11:22 PM Well said, Drake! I have no idea what kinda person I would be if put under ugly and/or demanding circumstances... it does the mind good to dwell on these "what ifs", I believe...

Richard Lamoureux May 30, 2013 at 7:05 AM Makes me think of the song "put your hand in the hand." we are all capable of horrible things under the wrong circumstances. As for what I will call you, I call you friend. Timothy Hicks May 30, 2013 at 11:20 PM ... another "not sure where this came from" piece. Living in the Victorian slavery era has always made me wonder though! Because of my generation we obviously find it wrong... but what if I was in a completely different generation? I call you friend, as well... thanks for reading!

Shadow Hamilton May 30, 2013 at 6:15 AM Tim this really makes me think and reminds me of the famous poem "If" a lovely flow to it Linda Timothy Hicks May 30, 2013 at 11:19 PM I'll have to look that up, never heard of it before! Thanks for stopping by one again, Linda!

Ilene Bauer May 30, 2013 at 4:48 AM wow! very powerful and bursting with emotion. this is the other side of poetry (from your haiku) and you've done an amazing job here, too. bravo! Timothy Hicks May 30, 2013 at 11:18 PM Thanks again Ilene... I am humbled by your comments!