|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
Listen you poor, puny, proud black child
Standing on street corners and living in poverty.
Listen you educated, sophisticated woman and man
Seeking prosperity in this American society.
Don’t you know: Chains set us free?
Listen to this black sister’s voice
People of color everywhere.
It’s time you realized, our release from oppression
Came only through the power of prayer.
From Africa our strong-willed ancestors
Brought rhythm, song and dance.
Such gifts lifted wounded spirits
And despite heavy burdens, they sought to advance.
In bondage slaves cried out to God
Just like the Israelites did in Egypt long ago.
The heavier the chains, the more fervent the prayers
Till finally God commanded, “Let My people go!”
Don’t you know: Chains set us free?
Slave ships delivered chained bodies
Of a people who were born free
Growing from belief in native religions
to belief in Jesus
They obeyed the LORD who urged,
“Come unto me.”
“Repent black child, come back to me,”
Is Jesus, the Savior’s cry,
“I am the Lord and I change not,
On me you can still rely.
“Call to me and I will answer you,
And set you free once more.
Trust me, wait patiently, and remember,
From bondage to freedom, I, Alone, Am the Door.”
You must never forget black child: Chains set us free.
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2020
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
I cuddled my baby until he took his first few steps
And began to exercise his new freedom of choice,
I heard him babble words like “ma ma” and “da da”
Years before he developed a man’s voice.
I lengthened the cord when he desired to run free
And monitored his activities and friendships, too
I trusted wisdom and instruction to guide him
Even in situations that were brand new.
I cheered when he participated in sporting events,
Both at practice and games, I did what proud parents do.
I encouraged him through disappointment and losses
And his joyful response was, “Mom, I love you.”
I listened to the things he said no matter where or what
And embraced him when he was sick or sad
I shared my life stories to motivate and inspire
But when I let go of the reins, he was so glad I got mad.
I cried at his high school graduation
And waved farewell when he joined the military.
I beamed when he clicked his heels and saluted.
What a handsome man in uniform he turned out to be.
I sent care packages from time to time
Just to ensure that he was eating right.
I asked my Lord to protect my child,
Each day when I prayed—and each night.
I stockpiled memories before he went away
And rejoiced at hearing news of the battles they won.
I pacified all my concerns with hope
And longed for his work on the battlefield to be done.
I know that a child is a precious gift from God,
And I did my best with the son placed in my care,
God gave him to me, and let war take him away….
He’s still my son, and there’s much more I could share.
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2016
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
How dare you desecrate the Capitol with urine and feces!
Even filthy pigs refuse to defecate near their own dwelling place.
How dare you flaunt confederate flags, grim reminders of our bloody history,
Alongside swastikas, hate symbols banned in Germany.
How dare you engage in red versus blue politics
Like your favorite sports team is competing against an arch-rival.
How dare you take an oath to uphold the U. S. Constitution,
Then manipulate and violate the laws of the land.
How dare you dismiss the deaths of those who sacrificed their lives
Following bad examples, believing fake news and baseless lies
Don’t you know that this young democracy is a city of hope, a beacon of light
And a rescue center for fledgling nations and refugees alike?
How dare you consider yourself superior
Because you fly first class while I fly economy.
Don’t you realize that at takeoff and landing
We all go up and down together?
How dare you count me as three-fifths of a person
Yet impregnate me to produce more of my kind.
Don’t you know my breasts fed your babies,
Cleaned your messy house and dirty rump?
How dare you hate me because my dark skin is permanent
And you sunbathe to get a temporary tan.
How dare you claim white privilege when God, our Maker,
Created the human race from the dust of the earth.
How dare you boast about living in luxury
When people around you are sleeping in tents and on the ground.
Don’t you realize that one wrong decision or bad investment
Could have you trading places or tumbling down?
How dare you espouse the sanctity of life
Yet bomb abortion clinics and destroy men and women.
How dare you condemn the innocent and coerce them to make a plea
While the guilty jeer at the system as they walk away scot free.
How dare you preach and teach Christian principles
But pray fire and brimstone will fall on your enemy.
How dare you claim to love everybody
But your actions scream, “If you’re Black, stay back.”
How dare you seek to eliminate the middle class
And create a society of those who have versus those who have not.
Don’t you know that each person replaced with technology, yes A. I.
Challenges a head of household to seek other employment?
How dare you deport immigrants and lock some in cages
While their children await adoption like a litter of dogs.
How dare you build a border wall and waste millions on a useless project.
Don’t you know your ancestors stole this land from Native Americans?
How dare you withhold earned benefits from the elderly
By constantly raising the retirement age so they won’t collect at all.
How dare you commit cold-blooded murder in broad daylight,
Wash your hands of your crime, and get a pat on the back.
How dare you declare yourself among the rich and famous
And snub your nose at the working class.
Don’t you know many of them are over worked and underpaid
And taxed to the hilt, while you dance through tax loopholes?
How dare you ignore morality in a perverted society,
Deny justice in the courts and practice systemic racism.
How dare you house white-collar criminals in federal penthouses
Where they feed on evil masterminds like iron sharpening iron.
How dare you call right wrong and wrong right and
Engage in redlining, redistricting and voter suppression.
How dare you outsource medical supplies and life-saving meds
To countries unconcerned about the welfare of this nation.
How dare you disgrace the nation’s motto: “IN GOD WE TRUST”
And make the love of money the primary motivation for all you do.
How dare you destroy the sacred institution of marriage
And behave as if God did not make woman a suitable companion for man.
How dare you turn away from the true and living God
Gaze upon and worship a babbling maniac.
Don’t you know the devil is the father of lies,
And he delights in deceiving those who consider themselves intelligent?
How dare you warn of a virus attacking a select people group.
Does that population become infected by design or coincidence?
How dare you offer loans—not grants—to struggling small businesses
When you know the desperate borrower will become a slave to the lender.
How dare you agree to delay evictions and foreclosures
To both the under and unemployed during a national crisis
And watch them accumulate debt that many cannot or will not pay.
Don’t we already have enough abandoned houses and people sleeping outdoors?
How dare you rescind much needed health care benefits
And attack existing affordable care insurance for millions.
How dare you legalize marijuana—the gateway drug to substance abuse,
While many remain incarcerated for illegal sale and use.
How dare you threaten people who faithfully discharge their civic duties
And stir up strife, divide households and incite riots.
How dare you pray against God’s elect and resist His decision.
Don’t you know that man casts the votes, but God determines the outcome?
How dare you condemn cultures where indoor plumbing is scarce
When you have the ability to help them dig wells
But choose to overlook their plight and lord it over them.
Don’t you know some people walk miles for contaminated drinking water?
How dare you brag about food stamps and relief doled out to the poor
And criticize their inability to climb the steep economic ladder.
How dare you scrutinize my education, background and experience
When the president must only meet two qualifications—a citizen and age 35.
How dare you discriminate against God’s children—those who truly trust Him.
Don’t you know that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth, To show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him? Rest assured that each of us will give an account to God, my brother, my sister.
How dare you criticize the depth of my indignation
Without pondering the truth and the spirit behind each line.
Don’t you know we each have received free will and freedom of speech?
Therefore, I beseech you to decide if my emotion is justified.
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2021
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
I wish you and your family a blessed holiday as you enjoy all the good things on the menu. Let's see: help yourself to patience (the appetizer), a hefty portion of love
(the main course), good health (the carb), joy and unity (the green and yellow veggies), kindness rolls, peace (the dessert), and plenty of humility (the beverage). If you practice self-control you should be fully satisfied at the end of the day.
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2016
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
God allows us to be born
so we can die
He allows us to be sick
so He can heal us
He allows us to be weak
so He can make us strong
He allows us to be poor
so He can make us rich in faith
He allows us to be impatient
so He can teach us patience
He allows us to be lost
so He can seek and save us
He allows us to be dirty with sin
so He can cleanse us with his blood
He allows us to be discouraged
so He can encourage us
He allows us to know grief
so He can comfort us
He allows us to fall
so He can pick us up
He allows us to have problems
so He can solve them
He allows us to think we are wise
so He can teach us foolishness
He allows us to be proud
so He can humble us
He allows us to be broken
so He can put us together again.
God allows us to backslide
so He can bring us to repentance
He allows us to experience conflict
so He can give us his peace
He allows us to feel empty
so He can fill us with his Spirit
He allows us to experience hunger
so He can feed us his Word
He allows us to be imprisoned
so He can free us by his power
He allows us to cry
so He can wipe away our tears
He allows us to know fear
so He can teach us to trust him
He allows us to feel lonely
so He can manifest his presence
He allows us to be rejected by man
so He can show us his acceptance
He allows us to be hated by the world
so He can shower us with love
He allows us to go through valleys
so He can show us mountains
He allows us to be attacked by enemies
so He can give us victory
He allows us to suffer hard trials
so He can teach us how to rejoice
God allows us to die
so we can live with him, forever.
What shall we then say to these things?
If God be for us, who can be against us?
(Romans 8:31)
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2021
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
Who Cares?
Who cares…
When loved ones with dementia go missing and resources caregivers lack
When the poor are given a handout, not a helping hand to get on track
When lying scammers and telemarketers, seniors cannot hold back
And one bad decision results in suicide or homicide following a hack?
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2023
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
Depression knocked on my door
And my lonely self invited her in.
I embraced her with a smile,
Delighted to have companionship awhile.
She sat a moment and sighed,
Then forgot her manners and invaded my space.
It felt nice when she snuggled close to me
So I relaxed and made us hot tea.
It was the joyous Christmas season
When I welcomed my guest who made herself comfortable.
She ruined all desire for festivities, delicacies, and music galore,
And stayed so long ‘til I didn’t like company anymore.
Depression strolled from room to room.
She took over like she owned my humble abode.
Helpless, I gave in until I heard a voice from deep within,
Whisper, “I love you. I am with you my friend.
"Call to me and I will answer you, and show you
Great and mighty things you do not know."
Energy zapped and mind confused,
I cried, "Help God! I'm being abused!"
A supernatural power seized control of me
And words exploded out of my mouth.
“Get out Depression! The God of love has heard my cry.”
Instantly, she loosed her grip and fled amid my hearty, “Goodbye!”
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2019
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
The movers came to clean out my house,
And said to one another
“Let’s remove ALL the furniture!
The baby carriage and accessories
have served their purpose.
That old stuff is nothing but clutter now.
Don’t let the mother see us
take everything out.
She might want to save her heirlooms:
uterus, cervix, tubes and ovaries.
They really must go,
and it’s better to move them all at once.
Let’s make it quick.
We’ve got other cleaning jobs today, too.”
My baby’s room is empty.
The movers sealed off the space and left.
Where did my baby furniture go?
Was it handled with utmost care?
Will it be reused or recycled?
As owner for decades,
why did I believe their “better out than in”
prevention strategy and problem-solving remedy?
Who decided that I could live
without furniture anyway?
Will that area of my house shrink
for lack of occupancy?
Will the vacuum bring ecstasy, grief or pain?
Will the plumbing to my bathroom expand?
Hist er rec to me!
Does anyone understand why the head of my house
grapples with questions at hand?
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2020
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
‘Tis time to unwind as Christmas Day draws nigh
‘Tis time to kiss wisdom in finance goodbye
‘Tis time for purses and wallets to sigh
‘Tis time to understand the reason why...
‘Twas Christmas Eve when expectancy ran high
‘Twas Christmas Day when the world received God’s gift
of love named Jesus,
a priceless treasure that money cannot buy.
Merry Christmas!
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2020
|
Details |
Gloria Shell Mitchell Poem
When autumn leaves on tree branches disappear
And chilly winds spoil outdoor fun
The warmth of a fireplace beckons me to draw near
That’s winter to me.
When snowflakes blanket streets with a hush,
And snowplows, cars, shovels and rubber soles
Leave tracks and generate dirty slush
That’s winter to me.
When mercury drops bitter cold penetrates my bones
And I act to prevent colds, flu, and frozen water pipes,
My delight is in hot tea rather than ice cream cones
That’s winter to me.
When heavy coats, boots, gloves, scarves, hats,
Earmuffs, knits, mitts, sweaters, and wool gear
Make me feel like I’m hauling a bundle of baseball bats
That’s winter to me.
When smoke oozes from my nose and mouth
Crisp air makes lips chap, teeth rattle, fingertips numb,
Desire for warmer weather make me head south
That’s winter to me.
When days are short and nights too long
And Christmas celebrations have waxed and waned,
My prayers for spring to hurry up don’t seem wrong
That’s winter to me.
Copyright © Gloria Shell Mitchell | Year Posted 2020
|
|