Poems: Topical and Funny

In recognition of Black History Month here is a humble submission from me.

This poem is at least in part taking the form of conversation between an observer, a father, a mother and a child hence the speakers highlighted in brackets and speech marks also included. Anyway here goes.

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This is a story about two roads that are worlds apart
A sequence of horrors with which our journey will start

An observer heads for Prejudice Street and takes a look around
An eerie silence and trepidation very much abound

Three people appear before a traffic light forever stuck on red
"These lights never go to green" the observer said

A man replies "Sign of our times, a knee on our neck"
His wife adds "Our every move here feels subject to check"

A child in a wheelchair moves forward and asks "Why didn't you get the job mum its so not fair?
Reply cometh "I have the wrong skin colour to get anywhere"

(Father) "We are denied respect and opportunity at every turn
It is not dominance but equality that we do yearn"

Observer looks on quizzically and says "Tell me more"
Child says "I got refused access to the school entrance door"

(Father) "Eyes scan us up and down and make us seethe
Body language of folk alone leave us unable to breathe

Why can't people see beyond a wheelchair or colour of skin?
What is so difficult about looking deeper within?

I got stopped in my car for doing nothing wrong
Officer looked at me as if I didn't belong

Every whiff of drugs, knives or carrying a gun
Always me and others here suspected as a guilty one"

Child retires with resigned expression in her eyes
Hopeful one day will be heard her silent cries

Observer is overcome by a wistful gaze
(Father) "This is the condemned existence of all our days"

Observer offers mother and father his left and right hand
(Observer) "Come with me please, let me try and understand

I live in the future on Equality Street
Its a diverse, thriving neighbourhood, its real neat

A gay lawyer, black police constable and transgender judge are neighbours of mine
This is the vision of the clock wound forward in time

On my street people of all creeds mingle with freedom and hope
They see potential in everyone with unlimited scope

No judgement cast on colour, religion or race
No instinctive designation of second place

Your family and those around you are welcome here
You should feel entitled to live without suspicion and fear

The future of your daughter is further down this road
University graduation, the job of her dreams and a grand abode"

They walk past a Doctors surgery with the daughters name
Mother cries with joy "Being a doctor is her lifelong aim"

(Observer) "Call out your neighbours to follow us please
Equality of hope and opportunity may everyone seize

Here we want to get to know people and their hearts desire
Through the power of personality let them inspire

Not a second too soon may this reality be yours forever
My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together (Desmond Tutu)

Much time has passed through many heroes pain
Too many hopes and dreams have gone down the drain

In this neighbourhood we love, we believe in, we embrace and for ALL we care
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere (Martin Luther King)

Let this be the journey of smiles on every face
For every man, woman and child of the human race

Let not the dreams of anyone be those we shatter
Our days begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter (Martin Luther King)

Let this street be not merely the future but the here and now
Let this be our final and eternal solemn vow."

What do you think
The bravest drink
Under the sky?”
“Strong beer,” said I.

“There’s a place for everything,
Everything, anything,
There’s a place for everything
Where it ought to be:
For a chicken, the hen’s wing;
For poison, the bee’s sting;
For almond-blossom, Spring;
A beerhouse for me.”

“There’s a prize for everyone,
Everyone, anyone,There’s a prize for everyone,
Whoever he may be:
Crags for the mountaineer,
Flags for the Fusilier,
For English poets, beer!
Strong beer for me!”

The great meals my lady does serve

Are way better than what I deserve.

I eat them all but,

when I look at my gut

I have failed to flatten the curve.

I made myself a snowball,
As perfect as could be,
I thought I’d keep it as a pet,
And let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas,
And a pillow for its head,
Then last night it ran away,
But first - it wet the bed!

Ohhhhhhh
The grand old Duke of York
He borrowed 12 million quid
He gave it to someone
He'd never ever met
and for something he never did