you (criminal) lost me, my attention (so long), respect (sayonara/farewell)
failing though it was, it was there
behind my eye, fizzled out, dulled (snuffled out by your ugly repugnancy)
that flicker of interest, the spark
the moment you assessed and judged (a group of people based on soloists)
decided to issue your own injustice
that "they, those people" deserved (had it coming, the dogs that they are)
cruel accountability and punishment
the moment you chose to raise a fist (petrol bomb, hammer, terrorist spirit)
it's not civil duty or just protest
your inhumane arrogance, ignorance (driven by blind loyalty to the idiots)
there's no just cause in ransacking
the home, workplace or holy building (with brutal mob mentality and tactics)
of anyone, whether guilty or innocent
Colour of skin and sexual preference (freedom of speech is not free for all)
gender, religion and really anything
that makes us a beautiful community (though you taint it with filth your kind)
of diverse and unique individuals
should never answer the question (not that you ever really asked any at all)
why violence and hatred are "allowed"
*
Thanks for reading!
Author's Notes: Wasn't what I intended to publish next, but after a week and counting of unrest, violence, rioting...it all came out.
Read Rachel Deeming's Riot! micro and was inspired:
It also seems to go well with my latest fiction piece:
For something more cheerful:
About the Creator
Paul Stewart
Award-Winning Writer, Poet, Scottish-Italian, Subversive.
The Accidental Poet - Poetry Collection out now!
Streams and Scratches in My Mind coming soon!
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Comments (10)
😔👏👏
I haven’t felt as much of what’s going on in London as maybe you have further north Paul, but it’s an awful thing to see. Hope it’s slowly getting better 🙏🏽
Read this right after reading Rachel’s story and they make powerful companions. This is a passionate and impactful response that captures such a sense of outrage and sadness
I can tell how passionately written this was, Paul!! My mind feel simultaneously overfull and empty, so much to ponder and yet, leaves me feeling powerless against the forces that be... Just another reminder that kindness is king, as long as you know how to weld it.
This should be on the front of every newspaper. It saddens and angers me knowing the plotting going on and the continued hatred with no basis. This is the kind of poem I need a drink after reading, well done!
I was so shocked when I saw petrol bombs because just last night I dreamt about those. Your poem was just so heartbreaking 😭😭😭
You gave me a lot to think about in this one. Violence is everywhere in one form or another and really no one knows how to stop the madness.
Such a raw and feeling reflection - very effectively expressed, Paul! I resonate with the deep frustration at seemingly endless cycles of violence.
Very powerful piece! Timely indeed.
Heartbreaking. Will people ever learn to live in peace? Powerful poetry, Paul!