Fear
Creator’s gift courses through us
from stem to vein
thought to action
when life imperilled Be
fear choice beckons
fight or flight
protect or retreat
fear and wisdom dawning dancers Be
In worlds we create
Holy is parsed
bounded
limited
boxed
denied
divisions’ weeds fester
Holy is parsed
bounded
limited
boxed
denied
divisions’ weeds fester
In systems
processes
rights
ritual
regulations
fear enshrined
encoded
constitutionalised
legalised
processes
rights
ritual
regulations
fear enshrined
encoded
constitutionalised
legalised
Words
ever constrain
as knee jerks
limit
even diminish
for syntax action replaces
slogan choice usurps
ever constrain
as knee jerks
limit
even diminish
for syntax action replaces
slogan choice usurps
Where I divided from You
to You
we are Us
and collectively
we are Them
then fear is
operationalised
weaponised
as we are dehumanised
to You
we are Us
and collectively
we are Them
then fear is
operationalised
weaponised
as we are dehumanised
Yet in depths sacred
deep within memory
of dreams shared
She slumbers
awaiting
yearning
deep within memory
of dreams shared
She slumbers
awaiting
yearning
Some call her Justice
Liberation
Emancipation
Unshackling
Liberation
Emancipation
Unshackling
Yet She waits
when eyes open
ears listen begin
fear’s veil
lustre diminishes
& purity’s mantra
acquiesces plurality’s song
when eyes open
ears listen begin
fear’s veil
lustre diminishes
& purity’s mantra
acquiesces plurality’s song
Slowly
sometimes abruptly
slumber wakefulness dawns
for in diversity the many
respond to the solo
where once single note hung
ever random repeating
chord & scale
harmony
begins
sometimes abruptly
slumber wakefulness dawns
for in diversity the many
respond to the solo
where once single note hung
ever random repeating
chord & scale
harmony
begins
Then
in recognition
we awake
The Other long denied
bay kept
by oppression’s yoke
marginalisation’s anchor
You see me
I recognise you
Me are we
I am you
Emboldened courage arises
in recognition
we awake
The Other long denied
bay kept
by oppression’s yoke
marginalisation’s anchor
You see me
I recognise you
Me are we
I am you
Emboldened courage arises
Toward balance we embark
fear and courage
hand in hand
action syntax replaces
choice slogan usurps
dignity’s solidarity
Creator’s gift restored
fear and courage
hand in hand
action syntax replaces
choice slogan usurps
dignity’s solidarity
Creator’s gift restored
Courage
[youtube= “https://youtu.be/jGqrvn3q1oo”]
How to overcome your unconscious biases
CBC Tapestry
I Love your poem! (I adore slam poetry and have just completed one for a speaking gig I’m taking part in this summer.) Beautifully done Richard, thank you for your imagery and moving words…I am going to read it a few times to let it fully sink in.
Hi Jenn- thanks for this kindness! Your speaking gig sounds awesome! Will you share more in the Diva Facebook group? As for the poem – the word play aloud definitely adds to the meaning, for me at least 🙂 I found that in my last few Reflections, when still in congregational ministry, that the slam poetry cadence was there more and more!