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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then NO Singing, Shouting, or Dancing Will Change that.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then Marching, Protesting, and Breaking Windows or Burning Buildings Will Not Convince You Otherwise.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then Creating Beautiful Art, Winning a Nobel Prize, or Becoming President Will Not Change Your Mind.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then A Pill or a Visit to a Clinic to Simply Erase My Existence, Will Seem like Business as Usual.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then Marching Thousands of US in Below Freezing Weather to Another Location Miles Away in Germany or Other Neighboring Countries, Will Not Cause You to Blink an Eye.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then Taking Our Children, Raping Our Men and Women, Enslaving Our Descendants for 400 YEARS and Calling it Civilized, Will Not Cause You to Think Twice.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then Devout Muslim Brothers Waking Early to Drive a Car, to Bomb a Hospital filled with Innocent Children and Infidels, While Hoping to Get 10 Virgin Brides in the Next Life Sounds Like A Winning Game Plan.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then Anglo Saxon Protestant Men, Who Claim to be Christians, Burning Churches, Mosques, or Hanging Black, Chinese, and Native American Men and Women In a Tree, Will Seem Like a Sunday Afternoon Treat, or Picnic Event.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then WHY Should I Continue to Build Your Schools, Businesses, Economy and Community?
Only to be told Repeatedly that I will Never be A Part of It?
To Say that I will Never Share Equally in the Fruits of This Great Country.
IF My Life Does Not Matter To You, Then Why Am I Paying Such a High Price Merely To Live?
Because My Life Matters To Me.
My Life Matters to My Wife, To My Children and the Community of Which I AM A Part.
MY Life ALSO Matters to Yeshua or Jesus Christ, So Much that HE Was Willing to Leave Heaven, Put On an Earthly Suit, Live for 32 Years, and Die Naked on a TREE. Just SO that I Might Meet Him One Day.
He Would Have Done it IF The Whole World Looked Like Me, A BLACK MALE.
Or Like YOU, NO Matter If You are WHITE, YELLOW, BROWN, or SOME OTHER COLOR Under the Sun.
SO I ask you, Does My Life Matter To You?
Sincerely,
A Voice Crying In the Wilderness.
Author: Paul Cumberbatch, (April 19th, 2021)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2021
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
My Name is Paul & I am a Young Black Male
My Grandmother's Father was from Great Britain, his Family came to the New World to Stake their claim
He was a White Male
I Never knew Him
My Grandmother was Mulatto,a Half-Breed, a Mixed Child, Ostracized & condemned before ever being born
It is My Inheritance,a Part of My History Often Over-Looked,Ever Present, But Never Forgotten
For the Cumberbatch Family were Plantation Owners, thus they Used, Owned & Benefitted from Slave Labor
They Migrated From The UK to Barbados The Bahamas,& Numerous Other Caribbean Countries
I say all this to State that History is Complicated
In 1973 when the UK Shed its Former Colonies,who were More Expense than Profit, My GrandMother's Family were left in the Wake
Mulatto Children Not Accepted in the Local Community because they looked too much like the Slave Owners
Yet Neither Accepted or Allowed to come to the UK to join Extended Family, For they would not be Accepted Here
So When You See Me, Yes I am Black,But do You See My History, My Heritage, The Lives of My Ancestors who Also Came from the Home of Your Ancestors?
I think if you Scratch beneath the Surface, Many of US Black or Negro Citizens Have Caucasian or White Ancestors or Members in Our Family
SO Why Don't You See ME?
Is It because WE have Married, Mixed & Had Children of all Creeds,Colors & Languages?
Or Is it More Basic,That By Seeing Me Will Force You to Acknowledge that What Happened to My Forefathers & Mothers was Wrong?
Yes For Some Of Them Were Slave Owners, But Others were Slaves, & to be Neither Accepted in Either World is a Very Hard Road to Trod
I think that Violence will Continue, Unrest Will Persist & the Present System or Status Quo Will Remain until It is No Longer Profitable To Continue
Slavery Ended Not Because of Any Moral Awakening, Epiphany or a Sense of Conscience, But Merely because it was cheaper to Produce the Same Items Via Another System
Thus The Caste System in India Was used Instead
Till You See Me, Not As One of Them,But One Of US
One of Your Own, One that Someday May Marry Your Son or Daughter,then I will Forever Be an Outsider, thus Not Good Enough and thus Eligible to be Brutally & Inhumanely Treated At Your Discretion, Just Because You Can
To Say that I Have Become Numb to These Senseless Acts of Violence is an Understatement
I Wonder Do You See Me Now?
Or Will You Ever?
Sincerely
Disillusioned Son of The Soil
Author Paul Cumberbatch (August 27th, 2020)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
My Heart Bleeds Red, and I Think Yours Beats Blue.
Living together as Neighbors with a White Picket Fence between, Since Our Kids were in Kindergarten, Now they have families of their own, and have Left the Nest.
It Never Bothered Me, because You Were always Reasonable, Till Now.
I Guess it’s Hard Seeing Clearly from the Other Side of the Divide?
We Once ate Dinners, Celebrated 4th of July Barbeques’, and Childhood Milestones and Achievements together,
Now Not So Much.
I Wonder What Has Changed?
It seems like Yesterday when We ate Thanksgiving Together, if Only For the Kids.
I See you both Tending to the Beautiful Rose Bushes in the Backyard, but almost Feel like it Would Be an Imposition To Simply Say Hello.
I Hope that the Cracks, or Crevices, discovered through the passage of time Will Soon Mend, For We Miss Our Friends.
I Never Knew the Changes that Could Come About Over the Process of One Four-Year Period?
When the Term is Over, and the Walls Taken Down, I Wonder If We Can Get Back There?
When Red Was Simply Red, and Blue Was Still Blue, But We Were Both OK With That, and Were Neighbors Anyway.
Friends Who Loved, Laughed, and Cried Together Through the Years.
Till That Day, I’ll Hold Those Fond Memories Close.
Sincerely,
A Guy in A Red Shirt, With a Blue Heart
Author Paul Cumberbatch (July 24th, 2020)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
Dear Dr. King,
I read of your struggle(s) over 50 years ago, & my heart brakes for how your life was taken prematurely on that day
I am a young black male, living in the year 2020
We have achieved some of your dreams today, all colors black,white,yellow & brown can now eat together at a restaurant, we can enter the same front door at work,& even sit next to each other on a bus,subway,or plane ride
I know that I have never written before, but I have read about the courage you displayed, on your walks through the streets, sermons at many gatherings of our young people seeking comfort,& solace
I don’t know what words you can give me now?
I look to the Book that you talked about, I read from time to time,& in it I see where you often speak about the ideals of Peace, Love, Forgiveness, Temperance, & Long Suffering,beliefs which I long to have, but feel like I fall short all too often
You see, today I feel really disillusioned that the virtues which you spoke of, the dreams you had, & the embodiment which you embraced,are wonderful, but I don’t know if I am able to live up too them?
I reflect on your fellow armor bearer, and soldier at war Brother Malcolm.
In my heart at this moment, I feel his blood rushing through my veins, I feel his words,thoughts,& beliefs running through my mind
Dr. King, when will enough,truly be enough?
We have been down this road before
When you were here, you were willing to reach the mountain-top,& see the “Promised Land”, though you never made it in,like Moses you were taken to see Yeshua
I live present day, in the Promised land, but my thoughts are often of having the courage that you displayed daily then
For the times have changed, some new opportunities have been granted,but the dream of equality still seems a few generations away
My question is should I be willing to offer my life for the Struggle, like you & brother Malcolm did, if the virtues you talked about may never be realized?
Or do I live daily trying to be at peace, when inside my heart burns?
My heart hurts not only for the dreams, aspirations,& goals that are in my mind, which I now realize are unattainable, not because of lack of talent, discipline,or will, but because the Gate-Keepers don’t think I am worthy to have them
Father King, I need guidance, to have hope,to sing those old spirituals, or to even utter your words “Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God Almighty I am Free at Last”
For I don’t truly feel Free
Sincerely,
Concerned Black Male
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
Dear Father Abraham,
I Know that Too Much Time has Past, Events Taken, and Choices Made that Forever Changed the Course of History.
I am a Son Not by Birth, but by Adoption, You See I Follow the Teachings of Your Son Yeshua.
A Man Who Came Long Ago, Was Crucified on a Tree between Two Criminals, and was Raised the Third Day, Which Made My Acceptance Possible.
Father I Only ask Now, for without You, I would be destined for an Eternity Separated from God.
The Old Writings State that On That Day You Had Three Visitors, One Whom Resembled The Son of Man, or God Himself.
They Brought Good News that Sarah who had been Barren Till Now Would One Day Have A Son, and You An Heir to Carry On Your Family Name.
Time Passed, and You Both Growing Older with No Fulfillment of the Promise in Sight.
A Choice Was Made to use Hagar as the Possible Vessel for its Fulfillment.
The Result a Beautiful Baby Boy Named Ishmael, Who Grew to be a Wise and Strong Young Man.
All Was Well Till The Fulfillment of Time had Come, and God’s Promise To You and Sarah resulted in a Child also, Who Would be Called Isaac.
Now there exists Two Sons of Abraham, One of Hagar, and the Other Of Sarah, but Both Are Your Seed.
Father Abraham thousands of Years have Passed Now, Since Those Moments In Time, And Much Blood Spilt Pondering the Question Which One is The Rightful Heir?
For Two Great Multitude of People(s) Resulted from Those Choices Made. The Sons Of Ishmael Became the Muslim Race, and the Sons of Isaac Would Become The Israeli or Hebrew.
I Know that as a Gentile I Have No Right to ask, but It was on My Mind.
Looking Back at the Wars Fought, Blood Spilt, Lives Lost, and Time Spent, Between the Descendants of Your Two Sons.
If You Could Go Back, and make Different Choices, Would You?
Is there Any Way To Bridge the Divide?
There are No Easy Answers, Only More Questions.
I Don’t Know if it is Even My Place To Attempt to ask the Question at a Possible Way Forward?
I Only know From the Outside Looking in, that They Are Both Your Sons, and I a Gentile, don’t Know all the issues, or May Never Completely Understand them, or Have Any Possible Answers.
Father I Wonder What Do You Think?
Sincerely,
A Confused Gentile
Author Paul Cumberbatch (July 30, 2020)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
Freedom of Expression is Only Free to The Members of The Dominant Class, Race, Religion Or Segment Of Society.
For The Rest of US Payments May be made in Blood, Tears, Rights or Civil Liberties.
I am a Brother of a Different Race, Ethnicity, Color, Language and Creed, Though I Can Identify With Your Journey.
For My People Walk a Similar Road.
We have Known Slavery, Whips, Chains and the Continued Attempts to Silence Our Collective Voice(s).
This Road is Long, the Path is Steep, and the Friends willing to travel with you are Few, But I would say to be Encouraged.
You Will One Day Get There, If You Are Willing to Continue the Journey, Endure the Race, and Aim towards the Higher Calling.
Though Water, Time Zone(s), and Distance May Separate US, Know That If Your Pursuit is Positive, Intention(s) Are Honest Regarding the Freedom of All Citizens, and your Motives are Sincere and Pure, Then I Will Stand With You.
The World is Watching, Documenting and Praying For your Positive and Peaceful Resolution.
Best Regards
Paul Cumberbatch (Author, December 12, 2020)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
I Think that I Saw You Today, Or at Least a Version of Who You Once Were.
I am Trying Hard to Hold Onto Memories that Once Captured the Beautiful Experiences Shared, that Now Seem to Slip Away With The Passage of Time.
I Don't Know if I Should Embrace The Present, Enjoy Each Day and Cherish The Time Left, Or Recollect the Past and Remember What May Never Be Again?
Your 60th Birthday was a Milestone That Seemed to Hold Such Promise.
Retirement in Five Years, Travel, and the Beginning of the Golden Years.
Now It Appears to Be the Beginning of When It All Started.
You Were Here to Change My Diapers, Give Bottles, and Provide the Nurturing that Every Child or Infant Needs.
Now I am Here To Play a Similar Role, Though I Wish it Were Not Left to Me Alone, For I am One of Six Adult Children.
Should I Try To Make It Easier On You, By Not Pushing Too Hard, Or On Me By Encouraging You to Remember The Past that Is Now Lost?
Maybe This Process Makes It Easier To Let Go?
I Don't Know, I Only Know It Hurts To Hold On Like This.
I Wonder IF I Let You Go, Will You Even Notice?
I Know that If You Were You, Then You Would Care.
I Just Know that This is a Long and Lonely Road.
Sincerely,
Your Son,
Author Paul Cumberbatch (November 3rd, 2020)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
The Blood of My Fore-Fathers was spilt building this land too!
Though I think at Times People seem to Forget, For History Books May Never acknowledge their names.
I am here, Because they Came Before.
Their Legacy runs through My Veins.
The Economic System of Slavery brought them here, Though The Powers at the time called it Spreading Christianity, and Doing God’s Work.
There were the Spanish, Italians, Portuguese, and the British, All Seeking to Stake their Claim on The New World.
Some said they Sought a New Route to the West, A Path to the Orient they Claimed.
Others simply stated that New Territory was needed to Support the Citizens of the Motherland Back-Home.
Though the Romans did it Best, for it was Not only a Science, but a Way of Life.
Where it mattered Little if you were Greek, Jew, or Barbarian, If One we’re Not a Roman-Citizen they may be Eligible to be Enslaved.
I know that the System has Changed Through the Years, though it’s Effects have Endured the Test of Time.
Our Fathers Have Worked in Sugar-Cane, Share-Cropping, and Cotton-Fields, though Now we Want More.
When we First Came Here, The Natives seemed More an Inconvenience than Guide by the Powers that Be, Thus their Voices Were Soon Silenced.
I Wonder if Enough Time has Passed, Blood Spilt, Payments Made, and Understanding Obtained, for My Voice to be Heard?
Sincerely,
Son of The Soil
Author Paul Cumberbatch (July 22nd, 2020)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
On a Hot Day at the end of June in 1966, A young Father and Mother Gave Birth to a Beautiful Bouncing Baby Boy.
The Young Boy would have to Grow Quickly, for The Streets of Brooklyn is No Joke.
The Boys on the Corner would teach you to Steal, Curse and Earn your Keep.
In The Brownsville of that Era children learnt quickly how to Merely survive.
'Kid Dynamite' was the Talk of the Town, Knockin' them on their Backs All Day Long.
Though Juve' is where you Would Earn Your Stripes.
In and Out of the System is No College or University to Properly Develop a Young Mind, but those are the Cards You were Dealt.
Though The System was Hard, while there you Met Bobby Stewart, who Introduced you to Cus' D'Amato, and Your Life Would Never Be The Same.
Under Cus' Wing You Learned the Art of Boxing, and to Become a Man.
Though They Called you 'Iron Mike', Your Heart always seemed tender, helping Opponents off of the Canvas or Mat.
The Numbers Will Forever Tell Part of Your Legacy, 50 Wins, 44 KO's, 6 Losses, and 2 No Contests.
For You are One of the Greatest of Any Error, Perhaps Second Only to Ali.
Your Life is Still Young, You Have Given Soooooooo Much.
I Just Wanted to Say Thank You.
Sincerely
One of Your Many Fans Around the World.
Author Paul. A. Cumberbatch (July 26th, 2020)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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Paul Cumberbatch Poem
On July 4th, 1776 This Land Became Emancipated or Freed from Great Britain, though My Fore-Fathers would Remain Enslaved for the Next 80 Plus Years Till September 22, 1862, and again on June 19th, 1865 For the State of Texas.
For that 80 Year Period, Both Men Who Wore Red and Blue Thought it Best to Maintain the Current System of Free Labor, Or Slavery.
Yes I Know that Time Has Passed, Songs Written, and The World Has Since Moved On.
Though No Apology Given, Admission of Wrong-Doing, Or Retribution Sought.
I Only Mention it Now, Because Some Would Contemplate, Fathom, or Think that More Blame Should be Born or Carried By the Red, More Than the Blue.
I Say Nay, There Is Enough Blame on Both Sides, For During that 80 Year Period, Slaves Served Dutifully Both Red and Blue Households.
So When the Opportunity Comes to Speak Your Mind, Make Your Choice, Or Give Your Allegiance.
I Only Ask that You Be Informed Of Your History, Do Your Research, and Stand For Positive Principles.
I Would Not Knowingly Stand With Any Person, Party, Or Color that desires to Continue to Enslave My People, My Children, Or My Opportunities.
I Do Not Wear A Red Or Blue Shirt, But Rather Stand with Yeshua.
Yeshua Loves Them Both.
Those Who Claim To Know Yeshua Or Jesus Christ, Whether a Red Or Blue, Should Have Fruits, Signs Or Areas in Their Lives Where You Can See It.
Lip-Service Is No Longer Enough.
If You Stand With Yeshua, Your Policies, Laws, Methods Of Governance, and Conducting Business, Should Clearly Display This Truth.
I Ask What Principles Will Determine How Your Voice Is Heard?
Sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen
Author Paul A. Cumberbatch (1st August, 2020)
Copyright © Paul Cumberbatch | Year Posted 2020
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