QUARANTINE LIFE: POETRY PROMPT --THE SPEECH

A part of “The Speech” 

Was to work hard to be

A citizen “they” would accept

Be non-threatening and nice; 

Every effort was twice 

The effort that “we” should expect

How you carried yourself, 

Above everything else

Would certainly win “their” respect

How you dressed, how you spoke; 

Handled spoon, knife, and fork

Be a credit that “they” won’t reject

The hope was that, maybe, 

Whatever “they” thought, would change

If they encountered YOU 

YOU with dignity, manners, 

Articulate answers 

Assimilated through and through

In spite of “their” station, 

Your higher education
Won't always count, or guarantee
That you’ll have equal standing; 

Support in demanding
Happiness, life, or liberty

Not one to pick a fight

Not a blemish in sight

Still, your record won’t insulate you

How good must you be to gain immunity

From the downright evil “they” do?

Stressing yourself to grin; 

Keeping true feelings in

Begging “them” for your God-given rights

Sick of jumping through hoops; 

Gaslighting--not truth

Wondering why you’re always in their sights

Now you’re tired of trying, 

And always relying 

On “their” estimation of you

Four centuries in, 

You are finding again

“They” will hate you, whatever you do.

There is some consolation; 

For your consideration 

And adhering to all of “The Speech”

You know how to survive, 

And keep hope alive

In the lessons that YOU can now teach 

Be the best that you can, 

Not to satisfy man

But because it’s the right thing to do

Have a strong sense of self, 

Above anything else

Knowing “they” are no better than YOU.








VRWc2020