|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
In concrete jungles with hustling crowds and throngs,
Or where a quiet countryside, meets golden rays of sun,
The places we call home are, each individually unique,
Holding full years of happiness with heartfelt mystique.
Be it a humble little cottage nestled close by the shore,
With gentle waves, that caress white sand forevermore,
In its cozy little nook, there is complete solace and peace,
Where all of your anxiety and worries dissipate and cease.
Maybe a bustling borough of a metropolis’s grand design,
Where tall skyscrapers reach up toward heaven, sublime,
In the biggest of places where we chase after our dreams,
Where diversity and culture cascade like mighty streams.
Or a hillbilly’s cabin, high up in a mountain’s cool embrace,
Where trees and birds are united with tranquility and grace,
In the heart of nature, where we seek and find lost serenity,
The places where we reconnect, with our true self-identity.
A childhood home, with its stories, and memories of ole,
Where trite fairy tales and laughter are woven and retold,
In its warm, familiar walls, family values were firmly set,
The places where time cannot erase, nor ever truly forget.
The places that we call home, in all of their different forms,
Hold the essence of our lives amid, the toils and the storms,
No matter where we may ramble, never mind where we roam,
The places we cherish most will always be home sweet home.
“Home is where the heart repose,” so let us honor each place,
With charity and affection, while our heart’s desire we chase,
While looking for your heart’s desire is tiring, scary, and hard,
That’s why you shouldn’t look further than your own backyard.
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2023
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
Each morning I awaken, I put on ‘the mask’
in order to perpetrate my sham.
At dusk, I’m wearied, tired, and exhausted after a
full day of trying not to be who I am.
The pressure is on.., society says, to be accepted by all others,
I must fit in no matter the cost, even if it means
forsaking my own brothers!
If you like me, then I like myself, I’ve found this fact
to be true. Your opinion of me dictates my worth
so what’s a body to do?
Maybe if I was who I really am, you might just like
me in spite of it. But, I can’t take the chance on the
hurt I would feel from a friendship unrequited.
So, to avoid being labeled the ‘black sheep’ in a
fold of socially accepted lambs
I spend my time and every fiber of my being
trying not to be who I am!
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2021
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
How dare you suggest that I’m racist, having known
me lo these many years? Just the mere accusation,
brings me nigh unto tears. Nothing could be more
hurtful, my character brought under attack, at the
risk of sounding cliché, “some of my best friends
are actually Black!”
The ‘Good Book’ says we should examine ourselves,
to guard against spiritual regression, allow me to
test your ‘faith,’ by asking you one simple question.
Could my son, black as night, marry your only daughter
lily-white? If the answer is ‘no’ in the vaguest, then yes
of course my beloved.., you’re racist!
But, I lay not this sin to your charge because racism is far
to systemic; therefore, many good White folks just like you
cannot be to blame, for a disease so inherently pathogenic.
When challenged with moral relativism.., hence the above
test question, the racist symptoms can usually be seen in
one’s eyes.., our soul’s most honest reflection!
I’ve seen that look a million times in everyday situations. Pre
judged so cavalierly.., imagine my anger and my frustration!
The old lady in an elevator clutches her purse extra tight!
Walking through the parking lot and hearing car doors locking
out of fright! The Cab drivers refusing to stop! Being spied on
and followed by store clerks, when I’m only in there to shop!
Sigmund Freud argued that “one’s racist urges often do not
reach consciousness because they are unacceptable to one’s
rational, conscious, moral self.” I’m not completely sure what
that means, I’m just a wannabe poet.., but if I had to expound,
I think it screams.., YOU CAN BE RACIST AND NOT EVEN
KNOW IT!!!!!
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2021
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
Dear Molly,
For you, I feel nothing but anger, contempt, and disdain, because you made me believe that you were the cure for all my psycho-emotional pain. I surrendered my heart and my soul to you Molly and I even let you take control of my brain.
At one point in time, I didn't know who or what monster you turned me into. But one thing I do know, Molly you made it impossible to get through my days and nights without you.
You had control of my body now Molly, and if I didn't choose you, you would make me feel so sick inside to the point where I was helpless not knowing what to do.
Molly, you made me fall in love with you, you are my smoove, silky slim! What did you say Molly? “To hell with my wife and kids.., I ain't worried about them!
I was so messed up about you Molly, I started doing things I swore I would never do, lying and stealing from the people who meant the most to this KID. Molly, they say, for a junkie to get what he has to have, he will do things he never did!
Molly, you had me convinced that throughout my whole life you were determined to stay, and I didn’t have the strength to turn from you and just walk away.
Before I knew it Molly, everyone I loved had seen this side of me that was hurting them inside, every time my family or my counselors questioned me and asked me to confide, I did what you taught me to do Molly.., I looked at them straight in their eyes and I lied.
I wanted to let you go so bad Molly and get you out of my way, but I was so scared to even tell someone.., so fearful of what they would say.
Molly, I didn’t want to be judged like that, so it was a decision I would have to make, but I've wasted so much time with you Molly, it might be a little too damn late.
Incarceration was a curse I knew it was going to come down to, but Molly the blessing is that it made me free and emotionally relieved, knowing that I could not get to you.
Dear Molly, it was a struggle, but it was a worthwhile fight, because now I’m in control again and today you are out of my life.
Being sober turned me into the person I've always wanted to be, and Molly, I know it was the one day you were praying I would never see.
Now I am doing all the good things I never imagined myself to do, and proudly I can say I am doing them Molly.., without you!
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2021
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
Raindrops whispering on leaves so green,
A gentle touch, a supremely tranquil scene.
A spiritual lullaby, a melodious sound,
In my secret place, where solace is found.
Each raindrop is a revelation, secrets shared,
With blossomed boughs, delicately paired.
They dance and shimmer, a graceful swoon,
In the cool embrace of a rain-drenched noon.
Leaves sway and shimmer in the misty air,
As raindrops caress them with tender care.
A symphony of creation, a serenity divine,
Raindrops and leaves harmoniously entwined.
A gentle reminder of God’s beauty and grace,
A serenade of the Lord in His enchanted place.
In this tranquil moment, anxious worries cease,
As raindrops whisper on leaves so green, in peace.
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2023
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
If I had just one, single wish to pursue
I wish I could be your bedroom mirror.
To me, it would be a dream come true..,
Gazing at you every today and night, and
All the days and nights I would ever see,
Nothing else, at all, could be more dearer!
In the morning as you stretch and arise,
I’ll be there, observing you most intently
At evening tide, while your day subsides
So, I stare at you ever more immensely.
Just watching you undress, I must confess!
‘I am blessed.., honored to be your mirror!’
Stroll past my glass; don't hide your sexy.., ‘hips!’
Never, ever deny me.., oh please come nearer,
A few extra pounds.., is no reason for frowns!
Cause I love what I see when you’re looking at
Me, looking at you.., I’m a very lucky mirror!
The hair and make-up may not be as flawless,
The outfit you choose not quite so superior?
Your beauty is the sum of all your fine parts,
I can’t reflect it any clearer; if I had one wish,
To pursue, oh yeah, I wish I was your mirror!
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2021
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
When I think of the years gone by
I hang my head and almost cry.
But do not think that I am sad
don’t jump to conclusions and say I’m mad
I’m simply reminiscing on the happy days we had.
My friends were many, enemies were few
when I was with them, I was never blue!
It never really worried me when a problem came about
because I knew someone would be there to help
me work it out.
Those happy days are gone for sure, the cynics often say,
but those days are wholesome, still fresh in my mind,
and they will never fade away!
It’s true I had my ups and downs, this I will admit
but there were always friends around to cheer me on
and encourage me not to quit!
Now, life has parted me from my friends
and we have all gone our separate ways
but, I won’t allow time to cause me to forget
those truly Happy Days!
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2021
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
They say that fear is F-alse E-vidence A-ppearing R-eal.
That can’t be true because I bore witness to Chauvin’s kill!
The video went viral on Facebook, an epic timed release, a
very stark difference from the initial statement of the police!
Who should the public really be afraid? Corporate, right-wing
media as usual cast its fear-mongering shade.., it’s ‘Them’ with
their unusual human strength like brute jungle apes, who the Cops
say are the aggressive threat, but they refused to release the tape?
They tell us the system is blind, impartial, fair, and objective
that one’s wealth, power, gender, and race, is not a factor or a nexus
Lady Justice may be blind but from my own perspective, the one-sided
tale that the videos clearly tell.., I don't see justice.., I always see just us!
Let the tape be released like sunlight through a darkened cloud,
it will cleanse and disinfect all the social sores that have too long
been allowed.., to fester from deep-rooted indifference and hate, so
it’s time to let the truth be known, that’s been captured on the tape
We’re told, “Don’t believe your lying eyes, trust the full investigation,
there’s more to the tape than meets the eye, might alter your persuasion”
Your prolonged analysis and inquisition simply does not begin to reckon,
with an amateurish videotape of (9) minutes, and (29) agonizing seconds
So stop with the smoke and mirrors, and own up to an institution outdated
Let’s reform a badly broken system and get one that's equitable reinstated
Its starts with complete transparency, of this fact there can be no debate
To establish justice, equality, and trust with us, you must release the tape!
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2021
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
When will things get back to normality, many a folk do ask?
We are weary of wearing these unpleasant Covid-19 masks!
In actual reality, getting back to normal is an oxymoronic claim.
Perpetuality is our normality, the continuous state of change.
Normal is a subjective place with its many shades of grays.
A tangled web is normal to the spider but chaos as it preys.
Normal is an illusion delusion or a setting on the coffee pot.
What appears normal at a distance, viewed up close, is not!
Normal is a creation of the mind, never was ordained by God.
Is it God’s will for us to return to normal’s phony, fake façade?
Normal is a world so boring, cloaked in a dimly-glazed hue.
“In Christ, old things pass away; all things are made new!”
Normal isn’t really normal; it’s just something you’re used to.
If it looks like we’re getting back to normal, it’s only deja vu.
Strife in America is the new normal, scornful of others’ ideas.
Normal as we know it is not coming back, but Jesus Christ is:)~
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2022
|
Details |
James Dukes Poem
Our future is soooo bright it singes the eyes.
Two fates intertwine by the strongest of ties.
‘A purposeful love is a love with purpose.’
If this is true, there will be no stopping us!
Our future is so bright we make the Sun jealous.
Gold’s finest luster is not nearly as precious!
When love gets better with each day that it last,
To judge its future, is how sensuous it's past?
Our future is so bright.., not to sound cliché,
1,000 years with you would be like one day!
Our love glistens like wild honey on the lips,
Gleaming dangerously like a solar eclipse!
Our future is so bright it rivals a Supernova.
As brilliant as the stars created by Jehovah!
The test of true love is to last beyond a season.
Real love stays aglow when it’s lit for a reason!
Our future is so bright it’ll stand the test of time.
Incorruptible, undefiled, preserved, and divine!
On our wedding day, we had merriment and mirth.
On one wedding night, we loved a lifetime's worth!
Our future is soooo bright my love..,
Copyright © James Dukes | Year Posted 2021
|
|