Claude H Oliver II Poems

How do we hurt each other
How do we stab and twist the knife
The pain inflicted can last a life
Do we not feel the pain we inflict
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Do you understand or don't you
Do I understand or not
Is what I understood what I said
Was what I said misunderstood by me or you
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Never quite measuring up
Always falling short of the mark
A bowl of unrealized expectations
A meal of disappointment
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Poetry is music
Rhythms and beats of our expression
Melodies of our emotions
The instrument of our thought emits this music
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Moving through the city
On roads, over streets, under avenues
Millions going here and there
Rolling, throbbing, thundering
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We give honor to the unseen
Creator
Giver of life
Protector
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The body we have
Whether hale or weak
Energetic, vivacious or calmly sweet
Helping others or fighting same
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Born in a quiet corner of a vibrant land
Standing tall, learning the ways of men
Becoming
Leader, strong voice
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Words of anger, war and greed
Words of pain, hunger and need
Shouted words – words of strife
Outward signs of turmoil within
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Now is forever
It cannot be past
Past – nows gone by
It cannot be future
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