social commentary

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

Freedom, They Call It...
"Wake up brothers this isn't Paradise, it looks like it's survival of the fittest out here. Everyone is trying to show the world how their lives are doing really well and show off what things they own and shit.
By Issa Ninji8 years ago in Poets
Fate of Glass
I could destroy this whole world. I could rip apart entire empires Destroy families Kill individual ppl with these bare hands
By Casey Hiatus8 years ago in Poets
Weinstein Effect
From allegations of harassment to rape, Over fifty women have come forward to say Rapists cannot get away with using tape
By Mollie Watson8 years ago in Poets
Mania
When you tell me that you like the way I curled my hair, I say thank you, but what you don’t know is that Mania made me do it- at 4AM. When you tell me that the sex was amazing, Mania made me do it [like that]. When you tell me that you love my art and call me your “artist baby,” Mania made me do it- made me fill notebooks full of great, but not perfect images. I tore out most of the pages. When you tell me that I need to eat more I say, “I know.” Mania made me do it- I mean not do it- eat I mean. When you tell me that everything will be okay, I know that it will but Mania made me do it- made me worry all night long. When you tell me that I talk too fast, and that I’m a dangerous woman, and that you know I’m a little high, Mania made me do it. With every burst of anger, sadness, excitement, energy- Mania made me do it, feel that way. When I’m crying uncontrollably and I tell you, “I just can’t do this anymore!” Mania made me do it. And when the day comes that I jump from that car or bridge or skyscraper, I’ll write it in my own blood. “Mania made me do it.”
By BB Blem8 years ago in Poets
My Black Is
My black is intriguing But underestimated and unappreciated My black is beautiful But frowned upon and unusual My black is lovely
By Rosie caldwell8 years ago in Poets
Gut Punch
Move out away from home, to cupboard room Gut punch Got no friends, no introduction, nobody Gut punch lectures that barrel forward regardless if you got it
By Niall Madden8 years ago in Poets
Black History
Black History I was beaten I was torn I was raped And a child was born My son would have inherited some of the masa’s properties
By Favour Oyewole8 years ago in Poets
That Could Have Been Me
Six years ago when I went to work, I walked down the same path he did. I went to the same 7-11 for snacks. I wore a turquoise colored hoodie almost every day.
By Chauncey Balsom8 years ago in Poets
Line Cook at the Back Door of the Cathay Restaurant
Line Cook at the Back Door of the Cathay Restaurant He lights a small cigar and stands atop the steel stairs that fall in order like
By Michael Ugulini8 years ago in Poets
Unknown
Defection with a bit of perfection Made completely out of gold i never knew what it was capable of the shadows of the dark
By karla rodriguze8 years ago in Poets
The World
It is not an organized thing, we are mere civilized beings living for this thing called, "Meaning." Yet, everything is, "Demeaning."
By Aubrein Gimel8 years ago in Poets
It'll Get Better
She carries herself through the halls pretending everything is fine.She tells her friends she's okay, tells them life at home is good, tells them she's never felt better.She asks if there's anything she can do for them.She listens.She cares.She gives advice.She uses their problems as excuses to ignore her own.Why, you ask?Why pretend?Why try to bare others pain on top of your own?The answer is simple...If you bury your feelings deep enough, maybe they'll go away.Maybe you'll wake up one day feeling like a carefree child again.Maybe you'll get up with a full night's rest and your insomnia just a distant memory.Maybe you'll meet someone who won't treat you like garbage they can toss away.Maybe you'll feel loved, cherished, and needed.Maybe all the pain you are feeling now will vanish into the night sky.
By Samantha Nyenbrink8 years ago in Poets