Wednesday, June 17, 2020

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

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