Welcome to Day 21 of the April Write 2013: A new era begins
Today is our third free verse Sunday. There is not a topic for today so you can write about any subject which comes to your mind. All we ask is that no erotica is posted today and it is saved for its space and time on Freaky Friday. ~ Marina
Katie Rendon (c) April 2013
(Inspired by the sewn up rose photo from Day 18)
Before the Petals Fall
You, my seed
are blossoming into a woman.
You are Baby’s Breath
with Rosehips.
While you push
petals open
I cup my hands
In the shape of a bud
And pray…
Mark Paleologo (c) April 2013
walking the right of way
.
curses fly through
forests of frustration
not caring to roost
in branches of
an unfinished life
begun
then abandoned
on another siding
overgrown and tangled
run thick with
necromantic incantation
lullabies
and pictures that fade
amidst synaptic discord
there are many ways
he looks over his shoulder
watching her
as she finds the only flower
daring to brave the gravel bed
for a soul to commit suicide
her knees bend as
she touches the petals
one only needs
to keep on living
Zita Holbourne (c) April 2013
They call it free verse Sunday
A day of freedom to say
A day to just go freely
For you and me to be
In touch with our souls
Our hearts, our goals
Our deepest thoughts
Expressions not taught
But learnt each time
We pen each rhyme
They say we’re free
But is anyone really?
Why freedom on Sunday?
Why not Friday or Monday?
In some cultures it’s a day of rest
In some religions they put on their Sunday best
Some call it the week’s end
So now we must transcend
Create poetry and spoken word
No matter if inspirational or absurd
The possibilities spin with elation
Anticipating our next creation
No guide like other days of April Write
No theme, no start
No image, no art
Just what our minds create
FreeVerseSunday – it’s a virtual date!
Zita Holbourne
Zita Holbourne (c) April 2013
Twenty Years On, RIP Stephen Lawrence
by Zita Holbourne, Poet,Artist,Activist
Twenty years on
how far have we come?
What has been done?
There’s too much still wrong
Stephen Lawrence talented and bright
Aspiring architect killed one night
For nothing more than colour of his skin
Justice sought, fought for by his grieving kin
Challenging institutional racism
Exposing police failings and discrimination
Race Relations Amendment Act was created
A public sector duty against such hatred
Yet still no justice as the killers walk free
Black communities are quite rightly angry
Lawrence family continue to fight on
Inspiring others determined and strong
To challenge racism blighting Lives and futures igniting
Campaigns to bring about equality
Hopeful that through them eventually
A change would come
Now fast forward on
Twenty years on to the present day
Has racism really gone away?
Now how far have we come?
What more must still be done?
Twenty years on and progress is being reversed
By a Government intent on seeing us cursed
With poverty and deprivation
Injustice and discrimination
Scapegoating of black communities
Encouraged by the Coalition’s policies
Making cuts that are ideological
Trying to make it impossible
For progression on equality and race
As they reverse not just slow the pace
Stopping, searching, demonising
Barring, blocking, ostracising
Cutting jobs and communities
Failing on their responsibilities and duties
To eliminate race discrimination
With their deliberate division
Between the rich predominately white
And the poorest who have to fight
Just to stay alive
Just to survive
Disproportionately poor and black
With evil smiles that say ‘if you’re black get back
Twenty years for partial justice served
Whilst some still don’t get punishment deserved
Twenty years and a family are still grieving
While communities still grasp on to hope of believing
That a different reality is achievable
And that an equal society is possible
Yet even as they dream shedding tears of sorrow
It’s unbearable not knowing if this tomorrow
Will come during their or their children’s time on earth
Even whilst recognising their own great worth
Feeling the pain of being treated as if they’re worthless
In a land ruled by those who couldn’t care less
That the disease of racism is reducing their life chances
And instead of progression and advances
They face a life of prejudice and discrimination
In this supposedly great nation.
Twenty years later we all deserve to live at ease
Twenty years later Stephen you deserve to rest in peace