social commentary

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

Hungry Humans
I saw a man eating out of a trash can Yesterday in a crowded square It was carnal and he ate quickly Hunched over and fixated
By Candice Lynne Fox5 years ago in Poets
Just a Girl
There once was a girl named Violet who lived in a quaint little house in the woods. She loved dressing in layers of delicate lace and pretty florals, and her fanciful fashion sense was outmatched only by her deliciously powerful dreams of the big world just outside her door.
By Kimberly5 years ago in Poets
Juxtaposition
“Maybe there is a beast… maybe it's only us.” ― William Golding, Lord of the Flies Treatment, is it real? Counseling, does it work?
By Fatma M Robinson5 years ago in Poets
The American Life
Because they say "you are in America", We get to do as we please Because we are here, we are 'Gringos' Because we are here, we have turned into them, we have white washed ourselves and become distant to our roots.
By Karla Bravo Rayon5 years ago in Poets
These Mothers’ Eyes Spoke
Samaria Rice’s eyes speak to me, 11 years and one month. Diamond Reynolds’ eyes speak to me, 31 years and one month. Gloria Darden’s eyes speak to me,
By Hope Martinez5 years ago in Poets
Black heart
Eyes wide open, as I see the dreadful world in which I was birthed, normalize the death of black men. Desensitization kicked in, permeating jadedness of melanin being obliterated right before our eyes..."We are human beings." That statement sheds its epidermis revealing a dull and ugly rebuttal: All lives matter. We are tired of being tired. Sick and tired of being tired. Yet as I write this, spilling my soul, I begin to erupt with vehement vigor.....BLACK LIVES MATTER! Maybe not to YOU, but the lives of the people in my family, every single one of them, beautiful and whole, THEY MATTER.
By Eliman Jeng5 years ago in Poets
The Underpass
Darkness descends on the tower block, A female lamb bids farewell to the flock. The moon hangs high in the inky sky, and an underpass looms in the thick gloom:
By Rachel Lightfoot5 years ago in Poets
Requiem for a Cog
Every gear must turn in line, each cog coruscates with dull, pewter shine. No room for watercolor memories or the promise of spring. No place for
By Stephanie Nielsen5 years ago in Poets
Who is he?
I come from dirt I come from dirt Touched that, turned to gold Call it Midas Touched that, turned to gold Call it Midas
By savage writer5 years ago in Poets
The Longest Week
A compulsion to write this The grief fills me and I need to make space Write it away Push out the pain and let light back in
By A J Barker5 years ago in Poets
To a City of Sanctuary
Refugees seeking refuge Asylum Seekers seeking asylum Over mountains and deserts Over rivers and seas You seek somewhere
By A J Barker5 years ago in Poets
Poem: The Game
The Game It’s the way of the world and there’s nowhere to go, We dance in our chains all the way to the grave. Hey, hey there it’s fine, it’s all part of the show.
By Nikki Albert5 years ago in Poets