social commentary

There's a rich history of poetry serving as social commentary, intended to inspire calls to action.

Introduction to Bad News
I hear the news and it stays in my head like an agonizing migraine wrapping around the brain, squeezing People drop words, like people drop bombs, exploding through bodies
By C. K. Little4 years ago in Poets
In Company with War
She sat underneath the mostly barren sycamore trees in the garden of the desolate church in which only a single daffodil had yet bloomed and the
By C. K. Little4 years ago in Poets
Distance Between Friends
I silenced notifications and stopped responding to “goodnight” texts. I didn’t go out or invite friends to my house. I did everything I could to put distance between us and it worked. It worked. This is what I wanted. So why does it feel so bad? Why when I think of friends do I get unbearably sad and yearn for simpler times? I thought I was supposed to feel that nice uncaring and bitter type of happiness that one feels when you have no friends and simply don’t care. You’re having fun with just me, myself, and I.
By Seersti4 years ago in Poets
Empathy
My Gyno is an asshole, he treats me like a fish About to be filleted for some exotic Cuban dish. His manner is atrocious and he wobbles when he stands,
By Kim Poole4 years ago in Poets
The Endangered
I saw them once in my life, so long ago that I can only remember what I wanted to say to the creatures, still to this day, even though by now, they are probably just like me, ensnared.
By NSS4 years ago in Poets
Who Am I
I am a Woman, I don't open my legs until I wed. I cook, I clean I also make the bed. I hide my face under a mask Of beauty and sanity until I go to bed.
By Katie Engle4 years ago in Poets
WHY DO THEY DO THIS?
Vicious street fighting, why do they do this? A mind a miss through vicious intent lost in the mist. Through the mist what lies but bluer skies, where fields burst green and eyes shine with surprise; a handshake and a nod, maybe a bow through the fog. Why do they do this? Confusion of course, that a mind needs a seed of wisdom, otherwise remorse; for anger breeds contempt which can lead to a fight, but wisdom passed down leads to fighting far from sight. But where to find wisdom, pray tell? Through others, before you, look and listen, for when the time arrives for a decision you won't be an empty shell.
By James Green4 years ago in Poets
The Sun, Stars and Moon
A soft gentle pull filled the air today. The cushion of the grass around me as I tilt my head catching the rays the universe has blessed us with. A sun shining down on the world with a watchful eye. It has seen it all and continues to see. War is flooding the world like a bursting dam and the sun's eyes are covered by the smoke blocking out the scene. It judges us as we divide ourselves further. Creatures that it has watched grow from the beginning of time now poisoned with hate and disgrace. The sun weeps for use, the moon weeps for us and the stars join in. As we continue to fall down the rabbit hole they reach with their light to pull. They almost lose hope on us. In the dust of the destruction it begins to settle bringing new hope. There they see a mother tucking her children into bed with soft spoken bedtime stories. Two lovers stand at the top of the hill in a meadow of flowers holding one another gently. Firemen rushing a house engulfed in flames to rescue the people who are stranded. A child offering their hand to another that is lonely and needs a friend. The warmth of their light becomes even more loving and begins to shine with a greater purpose than before. Even with all the destruction they find under the midst of love, hope, and friendship blossoming to bring out new beginnings to build against the division in the world. All the war today will be diminished by love, hope and friendship that is being raised and nurtured to do amazing things. The first thing to do is to start showing the compassion that the moon, sun and stars have always done for us and never failed. The sun gives light to help grow the nature around us. Stars that guided us to new beginnings with no fail. And here we have the moon who taught us wonder, showed us the light in the dark times and always had us dreaming of being an explorer. It’s time that we guide, grow and give hope to those around us just like we received from our oldest comrades.
By Cara4 years ago in Poets
Passions
Someone recently asked me What my passions in life are But I didn’t have an answer Well not a real one Because I’ve never really thought about it
By Beau Green4 years ago in Poets
Grow Boldly
My mother taught me to Grow Boldly. Do not shrink yourself to fit. If you think you must, You are not where you are meant to be.
By Ember Gray4 years ago in Poets
The Black Man™
The Black Man™ is not one, but all. A melding of every Brother into a stereotype-shaped mosaic, to be taken out and used on occasions deemed fit by those who created him.
By Kelsea4 years ago in Poets
Seraphim of Glory
Seraphim Dream of him On a whim Chronicle Tales we cull Whimsical Advantage Give homage Loose bondage Recognize
By Emily Dickerson4 years ago in Poets