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Malcolm Varner Poem
If I can keep my eyes focused on what’s ahead,
And allow what’s behind me to simply be dead –
Then I will make it.
If I can keep a firm grip on the present elements in my hand,
And wisely position my feet so that I always stand –
Then I will make it.
If I can accept that rocky ground and steep climbs
Are necessary obstacles to be conquered with patience and time -
Then I will make it.
If I can muster my strength to keep pressing on,
Especially in times when it seems I’m being baked by the sun –
Then I will make it.
If I can learn to crucify my pride,
By praying for strength and allowing my friends to stand at my side –
Then I will make it.
If I can fully embrace the good that’s inside,
Relinquishing fear, doubt, and shame, so it can shine –
Then I will make it.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
Son to Mother
(A Tribute to Langston Hughes' Mother to Son)
Mama thank you for your wisdom
that you provided since I was in womb.
I am proud to say I’ve become a man
and on my own two feet tall I stand.
It wasn’t easy, this path I’ve led
being a counter-cultural black man – what so many dread.
But watching you made me strong over the years
and I saw how your walk brought you to tears.
With decent dignity you inspired me
to never accept less than what I should be.
While walking and doing the very best you could,
believing that crystal stairs came after the wood.
And now that I have finally arrived,
it’s because of your courage that I survived.
So for that, mama, I say a job well done;
from your example, I can teach my own son.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
Proud people of the Haitian Ile,
Stand firm with head held high.
Though days may last for a while,
The world has begun to hear your cry.
Le monde ecoute les voix criant;
On voit et meme se sent votre douleur.
Avec vous, on est priant.
Avec vous, aussi on pleure.
Two plus centuries ago,
You proved strength and gained liberty.
For your great past, there’s a greater tomorrow,
In spite of the now, pursue prosperity.
Le monde écoute votre voir d’éspoir;
On voit toute votre courage.
Quelle belle pays et peuple noir –
À vous, on dis “soyez brave, soyez brave!”
Such a calamity to strike Porte-au-Prince;
May you raise capital walls and the hearts therein.
Like those of Katrina, you will be remembered since;
This time, may justice and compassion speedily win.
Haiti, le monde écoute les cries de votre terre;
On voit ques vos avez tellement de besoins.
Il nous semble qu’un des ces est un frère.
Donc, à vous on dit, “On vient!”
(Dedicated to Haiti as a result of the 2010 earthquake.)
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
Today I celebrate me,
Today I celebrate you.
I am me,
And you are you.
Gifted, unique, and talented too.
I am happy to be me, and so should you.
There’s no one like me and no one like you,
Not fifty, a dozen, or even a few.
You should be proud to be who you are,
Because when you are, you shine like a star.
Our lives may be different, and that’s okay.
Together we can learn, grow, and love anyway.
So let’s celebrate and smile all day,
Because with me being me and you being you – we’re both okay.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
After the storm has passed,
Pelting rain has ceased, and
Ratchet winds have shifted into
Tolerable and non-threatening breezes,
Life resumes in an ordinary sense.
As grey clouds move east,
The sky opens to unveil its majesty
And daybreak takes its proper place.
Slowly the sun emerges,
Rising like a phoenix,
Renewing our hope and calm.
The world looks anew.
As birds chirp and trees stand tall
No longer swayed by unfriendly gusts,
The clean scent of rain left behind
Brings forth a new freshness in the day.
Life resumes with kids playing in puddles
And downtown streets are busied with people
Who walk unrushed to appointments.
On lucky days when looking into the sky
A bow of colors may catch their eyes –
Such a rare treasure that makes them smile
As they take delight in its pleasing sight.
What a miracles it is to see
After the passing of a storm.
Perched above it signals harmony
And the promise of a new beginning.
A wondrous sign to behold,
A remarkable ending to that which has passed.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
No matter how deep the sadness or wide the pain,
I vow to live for a brighter day will come again.
No matter how many mistakes I’ve made in the past,
I vow to live and in the future avoid them, surefooted and fast.
No matter how many tragedies beyond my control take place,
I vow to live and stay my course within this race.
No matter how poor or rich I may ever be,
I vow to live and aspire to search for the dignity in simplicity.
No matter how much a lover may pierce the inner core of my heart,
I vow to live for like spring I’ll get a new start.
No matter how isolated and alone I may feel,
I vow to live and do something for someone else to heal.
No matter how hopeless my situation my appear,
I vow to live and reflect until my viewpoint is clear.
No matter what happens in this life – good or bad
I vow to live, do my best, and just for living – be glad.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
It's not your America or my America,
but our America.
Not a white, red
black, Latino,
or an Asian America,
but a multi-colored America...
Not a straight,
gay or bi America,
but an equal America...
Not an America for men
or one strictly for women,
but an equitable America for both sexes...
Not an America for
the wealthy or middle class,
nor one that ignores the poor –
but an America without castes...
Not an America for the privileged,
but an America that privileges the hard-working
and creates opportunities...
Not a Christian, Islamic,
Jewish, or agnostic America,
but an America of vast traditions and faiths...
Not an exclusive or elitist America,
but a leading and welcoming America...
It's not a Republican, Independent,
or America of Democrats.
No, it’s The People who make up America...
And as long as We -
Her beloved sons and daughters -
Never mock equality, freedom, and justice
then our fair country,
shall stand tall and united as one America.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
I am worth the fight
For I can see victory clearly in sight.
I am worth the fight,
For it takes hard work to make the future bright.
I am worth the fight,
For I will not be defined by losses or plight.
I am worth the fight,
For those who discounted me are simply not right.
I am worth the fight,
For life’s turbulent winds only inspire my flight.
I am worth the fight,
For my light that’s within repels the night.
I am worth the fight,
For when I get knocked down, I rise to new heights.
I am worth the fight,
For in the end, I trust in hope’s might.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
Let us use our diverse tools
to build hope in their hearts.
Like opulent homes
developed with care,
We must take the time to
create a strong foundation
in young lives bursting with
potential. For even though their
bellies may groan from
hunger or their eyes may be
tired of seeing a mother’s
addiction taking its terrible
toll, we’ll never know how
much a mentor’s friendly
hand will give strength to
a young person to proudly
stand and push through
time and circumstances
that could have defeated them.
Let us use our tools to
deconstruct walls that
divide them from us;
Walls that prevent persons
On either side of these divisions
from earnest self-actualization.
Though tenable by all five senses
these barriers inevitably pose a
moral threat to common
possibility wherein a neighbor’s
outcome is the ultimate reward
of what we are all striving for.
And whether this is simply
an ideal on earth or not,
let us nevertheless see this vision
where each of our tools are used
for creating and building in unison
a house of brotherhood.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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Malcolm Varner Poem
Trust is a peaceful comfort,
A inexplicable belief in tomorrow.
It creates a sense of secured protection,
A safety that sooths the mind and soul.
Trust is confidence. It’s not blind
Because it’s been built on history,
A past that’s proved that ultimately
Life works out. It’s a vulnerable state
That strengthens relationships when
Not broken.
Trust is a cozy assurance, a warmth
That provides delight and confidence alike.
It’s not controlling or demanding by
Nature, but it does require patience
And work. It’s not a hoax
Or some artificial idea – it’s real.
Trust placates, and in so doing,
Provides something to look forward to.
Copyright © Malcolm Varner | Year Posted 2013
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