When We Close Our Eyes

Closing our eyes is easy…it’s probably the most excellent way
to think, to hope, to dream…to make a wish…to kiss…to pray.

In the quiet darkness behind our eyes is where people start
to heed the teachings of their soul and listen to their heart.

When we close our eyes this Juneteenth
let’s listen as our heart tells us something we’ve known all along…
that any kind of slavery…always was…always is…and always will be…wrong.

When we close our eyes this Juneteenth…
we know, in our hearts, human rights should never have to be won…
they should be universal and apply to everyone.

When we close our eyes this Juneteenth
We know everyone should receive the same education 
no matter who or when or where.
We know that no one should go hungry and everyone needs care.

But…when we close our eyes this Juneteenth
There are some people whose minds have become twisted.
Who would like us, when it comes to slavery, to act as if it never existed.

So….when we close our eyes this Juneteenth
let us remember all those who needlessly and savagely
at the hands of prejudice have died…and cried.
Let us not allow today’s twisted minds to erase our history…
Let us not allow them to break our spirit or crush our pride.

When we close our eyes this Juneteenth
Let us not close our eyes to what our hearts know to be true…
Which means when we open our eyes this Juneteenth…
we know exactly what we need to do.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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

Rodrigues Avatar
June 20, 2023 at 10:49 AM
If people cared about the slavery that goes on today…perhaps then the world can be a better and safer place. If Juneteenth teaches us, let it touch us with an outward reach, one that wants no one to suffer the inhumanity of the past!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace