#Poetry by @NonnieJules @rrbc_org @rrbc_rwisa

Since I am a storyteller, I like to take things I see happening around me, on the streets, in the news or even from people I know, and turn their stories into poetry.  Funny, my friends are careful of what they share with me for fear that I will turn it into a great piece of written work which they’d sometimes like to forget.  But, once it’s been written, it’s forever, right?

Welcome to POETIC REALITIES.  Roll ’em!

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“DOES MY LIFE MATTER?”

I am a black woman, and because of the shade of my skin and coarseness of my hair, because of the fullness of my hips, my lips and the bold colors I wear…some don’t find me as attractive as my fairer counterparts.  You see, I’m no longer your house-maid or here for your sexual pleasure;  no longer Mamie to your children, I’m now someone’s Mother…a treasure.  But, does my life matter?

I am a black man, and because of my dark skin and the boldness of my stance, because of the kinky in my hair, the anger in my stare, and the wear and tear shown on my hands…some still don’t see me as a man.  You see, I’m no longer your field property or your whipping post.  I’ve freedom papers and own land now, maybe, more than most.  You build cages to hold me, guilty or not;  where you should build institutions of higher learning,  you lock me away for little things, then leave me there to rot.  Will my bed forever be a cot?  But, does my life matter?

I am a white woman, and because of my milk dove skin and cute, pinched nose, thin ruby red lips and fair skin that glows…with my pearly whites and prominent chin…some still look at me and despise the skin I’m in.  I was never privy to the pain that was caused.  I was born into that hatred…those God-awful laws.  So, does my life still matter?

I am a white man, born into privilege and wealth, easy life, perfect health, yet…I’m still persecuted and referred to as “the man.”  I, too, hate the ways of the Ku Klux Klan.  My neighbors are black, white, green and red…still, I haven’t fled.  To be where everyone looks more like me, is not where I want to be.  I, too, would like to one day be FREE. (Yes, FREE!  It also applies to me!)…FREE of the labels that bind because of the color of my skin. I’ve never owned any human or degraded any man. But, does my life still matter?

I am a brown-skinned woman and because of my accented words, you think I should be silent…quiet – not heard.  I can do more than clean your windows and floors.  Just ask me what I’m capable of, you’d be surprised, I’m sure.  I may have come here via the back of a truck, or even the legal route, if I was blessed with such luck.  Maybe I was born here, and my parents, too.  In your eyes, would that still make me less American than you?  Does my life matter?

I am a brown-skinned man and though maybe a bit stocky, I’m no less in appearance, than your brawn and cocky.  I’m not a rapist, a thief or thug…but, a man like you, with kids to hug.  I’m not ashamed to tend your lawns and trees, but Executive, also a title I wear with ease;  whatever it takes…my family to feed. Don’t dismiss, or overlook my face;  I may not have been born here, but I’m here to stay.  And with that said, does my life still matter?

With all that’s going on, there’s much racial unrest.  It’s time to put differences aside and put real LOVE to the test.  We can’t keep fighting each other, when there are real wars going on.  We must come together in love, heal and stand strong.  There are real enemies among us, and their names we know not.  We must stand on the front lines, together and talk.

The differences between us are fewer than those in our heads;  and in the end, until we draw our last breath,  we all still bleed red.  Yes, that small matter is what makes us brothers, and binds us tighter than any other.

That stream of red flowing through our veins, is what should force us to…
release all blame,
stop the pain,
forge ahead,
no more blood we’ll shed.

Hatred is coming from all sides and it’s time WE all bring it to a peaceful end.

***

“WHEN GOD CALLS YOUR NAME”

Sometimes it’s in a wind blow

Sometimes it’s in a bang

But nothing can still your heart

As when God calls your name.

Sometimes it’s at a stop light

Sometimes it’s in a store

Most often it’s when you least expect

That you’ll be coming home no more.

Sometimes it’s in a raindrop

Sometimes that drop’s a tear

But nothing can keep you from hearing

That whisper that you most fear.

Because just when you’re the happiest

or when you’re feeling low

God can whisper in your ear

“My child, it’s time to go.”

When God calls your name

There’s no need to feel afraid

Because you’re going to a place

Where the streets, in gold, are paved…

and they say there is no illness

I hear it’s all the rave!

They say it is a palace

Made just for royalty

So, whenever God calls my name…no fear

Because where ever he is, is where I want to be.

***

“A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS”

People wish for presents

That fit ‘neath a Christmas tree

But, I’d like something more special

Gifted just for me.

I want a place to come home to

A place to call my own

I’d like to feel the shelter

Of my very own home.

Living on the streets

Or, sometimes out of a car

Is the most horrible feeling,

I’ve ever felt thus far.

I pray for this hell to be over

I pray that one day soon

I’ll be able to offer my children

The comfort of their own rooms.

I drive thru nice neighborhoods

Windows, I look inside

Wishing I was as lucky

As the people, who there reside.

Sleeping at the in-laws

Always needing help

Reading the books that sit

Upon someone else’s shelf.

This holiday…

Some will wish for presents

Others just want to roam

I simply wish and pray upon

Christmas in my own home.

***

“GET YOURSELF SOME GIRLFRIENDS”

When you’ve got trouble in your life

Tired of dealing with stress and strife

And you don’t have a plan…

Get yourself some girlfriends.

When you’ve grown weary of his drama

Of another ‘baby mama’

And you just can’t understand…

Get yourself some girlfriends.

When it’s a shoulder you need

Cause your heart’s on constant bleed

And you don’t know how to stop it…

Get yourself some girlfriends.

When your kids are acting up

And you need something stronger in your  cup

To keep you from pulling out your hair…

Get yourself some girlfriends.

You see, they’re always on the scene

When you need someone there

They’re also quick to demean

Anyone, who to you, isn’t fair.

So, if you have no one now

That you can call on in a hurry

Get yourself some girlfriends

And this will never be your worry!

***

“I AM LOVE”

I am a first kiss

I am the teenage puppy-love, hand-hold, snuggle, coupled laughter

I am a ripple in the pond that two lovers look upon

I am the first date

I am a Father’s pride as he watches his son take his bride…at the altar, on their wedding day

I am the first of May

I am a newborn laid upon its’ Mother’s breast

I am the heartbeat buried in your chest

I am the hand clap and the cheer as parents watch their toddler take her first steps

I am the ‘awwww’ when she falls

I am the tear rolling down a mother’s cheek the first day of kindergarten

I am that same tear which appears at the mere mention of going away to college

I am the crinkle in the forehead upon learning of a child’s misdeed

I am the punishment, I am the lesson

I am a smile across the lips of parents as they watch their child walk across a graduation stage

I don’t age…

I can’t

I am the first wind of an autumn morn, blowing through your hair

I can be found most everywhere

I am forever.

I am love.

***

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