She laid down
on the carpet in the
living room because
she wanted to understand…
It wasn’t that she didn’t
know what was happening
or why she was feeling this way
but she wanted to seek answers
and consult the ceiling
and the lightbulb
and the crack at the far
left corner
that had been there
for as long as she could remember…
There was so much she needed to know…
But she laid there for too long
and the ceiling grew too thin
and she could see the stars peeking through
As all of outside tried to come in
and the ceiling faded into dust that consumed
her body as it lay against the fibers of the carpet
She closed her eyes and started to whisper out
towards whatever could hear her, or
whoever happened to be listening to her at that time
And images flooded her mind
and took control
of her body
and her will
and her sense of self
Images of knives being stabbed through her back
as people laughed at her spasms and shrieks
while others looked at her as if she were a specimen
under the glass of a microscope
ConfidingIsabella Destrades
She cried for help, but no one could hear her
There were images of hands touching hands
under the lust of the moon’s glow
surrounded by damp soil and wildflowers
that thrived upon the hearts of young lovers
And she could somehow, make out the image of
a school bus arriving, veiled in fog
and wet leaves
and mud
ready to take her to the schoolyard
where all her worries and disappointments
became her breaking point
and the people she saw there
were just tamed circus mice
following a path she did not choose to go
But she said to herself
“I have no choice,”
and continued on with her day…
Suddenly, her eyes open up
as a microwave beeps and a child’s
voice is heard shouting on the
television screen
And she realizes that the dust from the ceiling
did not cover her body
And the stars were nowhere to be seen
(which disappoints her a bit)
She stands up and looks at the clock
and decides she should go to bed,
for the lights shine back at her 1:26 a.m.
and that is the sensible thing to do
She heads to her room
ConfidingIsabella Destrades
to take off her clothes
and sleeps soundly
hoping tomorrow
will be a better day…
No one really understood her
How her mind worked
and who she really was inside
but everyone knew she had dreams
and that was enough for them
to feel afraid…
His eyes are ocean blue, wide with excitement. He loved me. He cherished me. He laughed with me.
Wanting to touch his new friend. I hunger for him. His companionship. His warmth. Know me he not.
I revisit today with anticipation. The stares piercing. His eyes, the color of night. The long gaze sends a volt of lightning into my heart. The knife dipped in poison is thrust deep into my heart. The aim is to
kill. But I survived. I retreat. I am a clam.
To bring my soul back to life is tomorrow’s journey, which is now today.
Genre: Love, Pain, Sad, Romantic, Friendship, Hurt
Bitter-Sweet by Angel Victoria
Never thought that I’d fall for you
Though I kind of wish that I didn’t knew
Cause I know you won’t ever look my way
And it pains me yet, I still pray
Always thinking of what will I do
Shall I tell you, what I feel for you?
Never will I forget those moments we had
Those little memories with you isn’t so bad
Cause whem I’m with you every second counts
Just like those moments that are unforgettable one’s.
You make my day full of surprises
Like a roller coaster that falls and rises
And just like every ride has its own ending
So, this time maybe I should stop hoping.
This would be the last time, I’ll think of you
As I wrote this poem for you
I would like to say those three words to you
Hope they would reach you, I Love You.
I could never seem to grasp the concept of a parent disregarding the life of their very offspring. What could possibly be so enticing that one feels the need to abandon such a personal creation of art?
Genre: Family, Life, Pain
The Ultimate Misunderstanding by Stephanie Marie
I could never seem to grasp the concept of a parent disregarding the life of their very offspring. What could possibly be so enticing that one feels the need to abandon such a personal creation of art? Imagine the very moment when unconditional love is full of conditions. The emptiness, the guilt, the fault that fills within the innocence. Something like the very laws of physics losing its credibility. Tell me how one isn’t to change when the very being who is appointed your love source, your example, your creator, resigns the position. When the responsibility of love vanishes, so do the generations to follow. A world where one gives up their life to a worthy being . . only, the being is pushing you into death’s arms willingly. Damage, baffling. Repair, resistant. Like a bird nursed to health and having its wings clipped off during their very first flight. You left me injured.
I forgive mistakes. I forgive failed attempts. An absence is something I will not condone. I made a promise to myself ages ago that I would not accept such a lack of presence. As nothing more that a person, I am deserving. One could say it’s my fault for expecting you to remain the same person. So forgive me for not finding it in my heart to forgive you, or don’t. My life shall carry on without the weight.
“There is no probable cause to insinuate that my vehicle may contain any evidence of a crime. Believe me officer, you’re wasting your time”
They’re thrown off by your response of knowing your rights, and intimidated by your courage to stand up and fight.
“I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU IN COURT!”
Said the late Sandra Bland. After being slammed to ground by a white man. Who pulled her over for failing to indicate, then yanked her out of her car, and tried to insinuate, that she would kick and scream and was downright rebellious, but in all actuality that woman was helpless. They took her to jail, and left her to die. Then couldn’t even tell us how she died or why
until an autopsy report ruled it was suicide, But if you ask me, they killed her because of her pride. They took away her rights and left her with no choice. She’s not here to defend herself So we’ll just have to be her voice.
They’ll abuse our people, we’ll get it on camera, but still…That wouldn’t be enough. They’ll excuse their behavior get a pat on the back for dealing with our people so rough.
43 year old asthmatic father of six, accused of allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes, by the same officer who made him feel harassed, Which was the same officer who choked him while he gasped “I can’t breathe” over and over, But still smothers him relentlessly until he lost complete composure. We stand here today, sending condolences and saying “Rest In Peace” To Eric Garner who lost his life in the custody of the police. Just like Freddie Gray, who died from unnecessary force because police officers decided to throw him in the back of the van aggressively
with no remorse, but before all of that, they bent his legs back while pressing their knee into his neck all because he’s black. They tried to say it was because of his possession of an illegal knife meanwhile they arrested him before the knife was even in sight he cried out in pain, while being dragged across the floor, then furthermore sustained injuries from not being secured. He went into a coma and fractured his spine and instead of rushing to his needs they just took their time. It’s not fair, but they don’t care. They never loved our people we’ve always been aware.
Living in color has many ups, but more downs because even with your hands up, you get shot like Mike Brown. Who surrendered the fight that was becoming intense against an officer that shot him and claimed self defense. He fired six times and twice to the head which was the last two shots that left Brown dead. If it were us behind the gun, they wouldn’t cut any slack. They’d look at what was done and the fact that we’re black. Then that would be enough for them to throw us away, there would be justice for that victim the very next day. They wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to take away our rights and they’ll even find reasons to justify taking our lives.
12 year old boy playing with a pellet gun, another regular day in the park just having some toy fun. Until a call was made that he could potentially be holding a pistol, though the message was relayed, they forgot to mention “POTENTIAL”. So when the two police officers arrived to the scene, they let off two shots immediately. They didn’t even check to see if the gun was real, although Tamir lifted his shirt to try and reveal that the gun was just a toy and he didn’t mean any harm. So there wasn’t any reason for anyone to be alarmed, but they didn’t give him a chance to prove the gun was fake. They later discovered that part when it was too late. The officer lied a numerous amount of times About the procedures he failed to take which ended Tamir’s life. But no one was punished for the situation that occurred and no justice for the family for the pain they’ve endured.
Police brutality has been an issue within black communities for years. The law is meant to protect our people not have us living in fear. We aren’t privileged because of the color of our skin in this society, they make it hard for our people to win. The melanin of our skin isn’t what defines us though, the melanin of our skin is what made us tough. We can do anything if we just believe all of our goals can and will be achieved. They tell us we can’t do it and we should give up, but we’ve been thru it to know that enough is enough. They think we are animals, uneducated and ignorant. They look at our faces then automatically pass judgment. We will no longer allow anyone to hold us back, We are proud of how far we’ve come and proud to be Black. If we just stick together and keep love in our hearts, there’s nothing this world can do to tear us apart.
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