Best Poems Written by Kaymen Cureton

Didnt Get the Memo

Public service announcements seem to not work any more.

The stress of our circumstances seem to confirm our righteousness.

We never listen to anybody but we listen to our pity.

We praise and glorify the same thing that families mourn over, and we only grieve when it directly affects us. 

There’s no turning back from what you believe to be righteous, but yet you expect the same support of your wrongdoing.

You want us to turn a blind eye to what we’ve seen everyday. 

Now, see sir, that’s not righteous.
That’s insanity. 

Doing the same thing over, and over, until the result rears it’s same ugly head. 

Extortion, of course, that’s the name of this game.

Our “leaders” in this case seem to run at the face of the law, because they can’t face what will happen to them if acknowledged.

Now, they’re no different but my God how soft you seem when those other colors show up. 

Why don’t you treat them like you do those other boys 
from cross town?

See, that’s the enticing part about this lifestyle you boys live. 

Gang banging, cane slanging, one bad son of a gun.
Until proven otherwise. 

See the pillars of Islam, there lies 5 truths.
Just as it does within the rights of humanity.

See we, us, we got the right to life and liberty,
But you believe your liberty is to take a life.

We also got freedom from slavery and torture, 
But your actions torture our community and enslave not only us but yourselves to a 23 and 1 confinement space. 

We got freedom of opinion and expression, 
But let a soul say something you dislike and again their liberty and life is at stake.

See liberty and justice is not for all, 
It’s just for you. I guess.

See, but I got the right to work and education.
And if that means working to get you boys to see more than what you’re doing and educate physically or  
mentally, that’s what I’m here for.

See that’s my right. Survival ain’t my human right. it’s just my right to live. And you just ain’t cutting it for me.
I guess you boys from the hood ain’t get the memo. 
The only person you put fear in… is you.

Copyright © Kaymen Cureton | Year Posted 2021