The Shame Of Societal Ignorance Poem by Frank James Ryan Jr...fjr

...of th' beginning
where significance
upheld its worth
in colored auction,
an' pass'd torch
to arrogance,
vouchsafing those
who laid down their souls
in cotton fields, scorched
from their backs to their waists
picking leaves hung on stems
forefinger and thumb,
so gently, as not to blemish
the product, fragile
yet donning thorns
as bloodysharp
as rusted knives,
pricking and piercing
pin cushioned fingers,
sweated paled flesh
over salting the blood drop,
overworking the pulse twitching nerves
of their horse-shoe spines,
from long days bent over
the fields for a blanket and grub.
And it was done too many places
far too many times-
over and over again;
so malignant
this inhumane practice,
a stark violation
of humankind,
a raping of heart,
slaying of spirit;
yet, 'prejudice',
th' emperor of shame
rules culture, still-
with its myopic eyes,
and minds chiseled deep
with ignorance.
'til judgment comes
wit a Jury of One
that knows no color,
culture or race,
for in He, all was created
in His image...all equal
from birth to death.
And, that day, is the day
prejudice be crucified
on a cross... upside-down,
[unlike the Pope, Peter]
for any other way
would bear sacrilege;
and, not far from this,
for sore jaded eyes
shall be renaissance,
illuminating its Seals of Gold,
like a tall lighthouse beacon
rendering unto all
the light of a Dove
where significance is upheld -
and ignorance be dispelled
for all who make penance
for misgivings called mortality
so there be a seat waiting
for all good men and women
of every race, creed and color,
on their Final Journey
All we, together...End of story.





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Frank James Ryan Jr. / FjR