I Challenge You, World!

We live in potential...... I believe that this world can be an incredible place if we didn't put our own personal needs, and greed in front of peace.

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery!

None but ourselves can free our minds……”

     - Bob Marley, “Redemption Song”

 

 

 I CHALLENGE YOU,

          WORLD!

 

 

By Bridgey “SwamiPeaceBringer” McLovin

 

 

 

I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD...

           TO BE GREAT!

AND TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE

  TOMORROW

FROM YOUR VOCABULARY!

I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD…

TO STOP DREAMING and BE AWAKE

BECAUSE TODAY IS NOW!

AND NOW CALLS FOR ME & U

TO SEE THE WAY THAT PAST GENERATIONS

                WEREN’T ABLE TO!

TO VIEW EACH OTHER

WITH ACHROMATIC IRISES

   THE WAY THAT CHILDREN DO!

TO SEE SKIN COLOR AS PRECISELY THAT

BUT EVEN UNDER THOSE COLORS,

TO SEE YOUR NEIGHBORS

      OF OUR SHARED LAND

AS YOUR SISTERS

AND YOUR BROTHERS!

TO LIVE, TO LAUGH, TO DANCE, TO LOVE,

TO FIGHT, TO GROW, TO BREAK BREAD,

& TO BUILD A LUMINESCENT

PATH OF INTEGRATION

WITH AND WITHIN ONE ANOTHER!

 

SO I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD...

TO VIEW YOUR INHABITANTS

WITH RESPECTFUL INTEREST & INTRIGUE,

WITH UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY BLEED

THE SAME COLOR HUE AS YOU DO!

TO NOT FORGET PAST ATROCITIES

BUT TO TREAT SAID ATROCITIES AS SUCH

TO ALLOW THE PAST TO METAPHORICALLY

AND PERHAPS LITERALLY BRIDGE US

    OVER A TORMENTED SEA OF

ANGER, HATE, CONFUSION, MALICE, FEAR, IGNORANCE

         & UNSPEAKABLE PREJUDICE!

 

I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD…

NOT TO ALLOW YOUR GOD TO BE

COLORFUL PIECES OF PAPER YOU RECEIVE,

AS YOU PRAY ON BENDED KNEES AT

THE CHURCH OF

       ATM MACHINES!

I CHALLENGE YOU TO STOP WORSHIPING YOUR ACCOUNT BALANCE AND COUNTERBALANCE YOUR OWN NEEDS WITH THOSE OF THE NEEDY!

FEED THEM NOT ONLY BREAD,

BUT WITH GENUINE EMPATHY!

 

I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD…

TO LOVE WITH A STEADY OPTIMISM THAT BRAVELY & CONTINUOUSLY

PULSATES EVEN AFTER REJECTION

& DISAPPOINTMENT!

TO LOVE WITH THE STRENGTH

THAT SOMETHING LIKE

    FORGIVENESS POSSESSES!!

I CHALLENGE YOU,

TO LOVE DEEPER THAN THOSE WITH

YOUR LAST NAME!

TO LOVE DEEPER THAN THE SHADE OF THE SKIN THAT LOOKS LIKE YOURS!

DEEPER THAN THE PATRIOTISM

   DRENCHED WITHIN YOUR NATION’S FLAG!

DEEPER THAN THE LOVED ONES RESIDING

             BEHIND YOUR OWN FRONT DOOR!

 

I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD…

TO PUT YOUR FAITH BEHIND

& IN FRONT OF OUR FUTURE!

TO EDUCATE YOUNG MINDS AND INFLUENCE THEM TO BE OPEN, AND ORIGINAL,

    AND INDIVIDUALLY UNIQUE!

TO ENCOURAGE RATHER THAN DISCOURAGE

NOURISH AND THEN

WATCH THEM FLOURISH

OUT OF THE NO GOOD, DARK WOODS AND DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS THAT YOU’VE KNOWN US TO RESIDE & PERISH INSIDE OF

UNDERSTOOD!?!?!

AS THE SAYING GOES…

You can take the girl out of the trailer park…

BUT I CHALLENGE THAT YOU CAN ALSO TAKE THE TRAILER PARK

OUT OF THE GIRL!!

YOUR STREET ADDRESS

DOES NOT

HAVE TO DEFINE YOU!

I challenge you to take pride in, yet not be defined, REPRESENTED & HELD CAPTIVE INSIDE OF what you had no choice or any VOICE in deciding in!

Such as…

ENVIRONMENTAL UPBRINGING!

OR RACE!

   OR GENDER!

   OR CLASS!

      OR SEXUALITY!

    OR NATIONALITY!

     OR PHYSICALITY!!   

etcetera & all limitations in or between!

 

SO, I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD

TO REMEMBER THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT

SHOULD WORK FOR YOU!

YOU ARE YOUR NATION'S LEADERS AND WORKERS AND SCHOOL TEACHERS, AND FREE THINKERS AND BRINGERS

OF TRUE DEMOCRACY!

YOU ARE THE WARRIORS

OF PEACE & PROSPERITY  

THE DESTROYERS OF

PROMISES &  HYPOCRISIES!

 

I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD...

TO ENTERTAIN DIPLOMACY

BEFORE YOU GO DESTROYING THINGS!

I CHALLENGE YOU NOT TO

FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE

BUT INSTEAD,

FIGHT FIRE

WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS!!

TO KNOW YOUR ENEMY,

   BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY…

TO TRY GETTING

TO KNOW YOUR ENEMY!!!!

YOU MAY FIND THAT SAID ENEMY

THROUGH LACK OF DIPLOMACY

         MAY HAVE NEVER CAME TO BE!

 

I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD!!!

TO MAKE THE IMPOSSIBLE AS TANGIBLE

AS A TUESDAY

TO SHOW CHILDREN TODAY

THAT LIVING IN PEACE ISN’T TOO LATE

TO ADOPT LOVE, AND TO TEACH THAT IT’S NOT LOVE WHEN WE’RE CONSTANTLY FIGHTING EACH OTHER

OVER WHO’S GOD IS UP ABOVE,

NOT TO CRUSADE, BUT INSTEAD RESPECT THEIR RELIGION AND THEIR WAYS, MAKE LOVE & NOT WAR, GREET A STRANGER, OPEN DOORS, HUG ONE ANOTHER, HELP EACH OTHER, DIFFERENT COLORED SISTERS & BROTHERS,

RESPECT OUR ELDERS, LISTEN TO KIDS

& LOVE WILLINGLY WITHOUT AN AGE,

TRY TO LOVE WITHOUT SIGHT,

& TRY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE CAGE

THAT OUR MINDS OCCUPY TODAY,

AND WE CAN MAKE IT TO THIS PLACE!

I BELIEVE IT!

YOU KNOW WHY?

BECAUSE TODAY…

     CAN ALWAYS BE

THE GREATEST DAY

       OF YOUR LIFE!

TODAY CAN DO SOMETHING

TOMORROW CAN NEVER, EVER DO!

TODAY CAN BE NOW!

NOT NOW! BUT RIGHT NOW!

TODAY CAN CHANGE TOMORROW,

JUST BECAUSE IT'S TO... DAY!!!

 

SO, I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD

TO BE GREAT

AND TO IMMEDIATELY REMOVE TOMORROW

FROM YOUR VOCABULARY

TO STOP DREAMING and BE AWAKE

BECAUSE TODAY IS NOW!

Author's Note

I love life. And when I see people genuinely looking to help one another, when I see acts of kindness and respect and love, it almost angers me to mildly taste the possibilities of what this world can be! It's still a work in progress. Maybe you'll hear me read the finished version at Obama's 2nd term Anauguration in three years! LOL

Another note; I had to change "greenback paper" to "colorful pieces of paper" giving that this address is on a international level. Stupid of me to forget that monies across the world are of various hues.

Reviews

[Lalli]

Bridgey, can you hear that?...... can you hear it?....

I can, its the sound of snapping fingers, the sound of inspired applause. This piece will get your audience to yell out that.. "preach on, mmmmhmmmm(in aggreeance), an amen, and many other interactive expression amidst the performance.

I will choose the preach on, and amen! i couldn't agree with you more. This is written brillitantly with so many clever phrases and unique twists to cliche's or familiar expressions... you hit it dead on. i love the message, I CHALLENGE YOU!

*snap snap

much love n' respect

-Lalli

[Fran Marie]

A powerful piece here, wonderfully penned and deeply expressed~

This world still is in need of much more kindness than what is being
demonstrated in our society at the present time~ we still have far to go~
Superb Pen,my friend

Fran Marie

[sheerpoetry]

this is a masterpiece. it reads like a great motivational speach the Obama should have had this poem read at the inauguration instead of that other one the lady said. I want every kid i know to hear this,

[Jason]

I love this piece, this reminds me when I first started writing poetry cause I used to read so much and have so much to talk about, but my friends didn't want to listen unless it was about something trivial.
This is a work that just doesn't point out or complain about a problem it gives you some paths you can take to make this world a better place but its starts with challenging yourself.


" SO,

I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD�..

TO PUT YOUR FAITH BEHIND

& IN FRONT OF THE FUTURE!

TO EDUCATE YOUNG MINDS AND INFLUENCE THEM TO BE OPEN,

AND ORIGINAL, AND NEWER!!

ENCOURAGE RATHER THAN DISCOURAGE, NURISH

AND WATCH THEM FLOURISH

OUT OF THE NO GOOD, DARK WOODS AND DANGEROUS HOODS THAT YOU'VE KNOWN THEM TO RESIDE & PERISH INSIDE!!!

UNDERSTOOD!?!?!"


Thanks

[Meredith Leigh]

Wow, I loved this. Its just so...So true! So powerful. Wonderful write!

- Kriss

[THE LOST ROSE]

In my mind is true sign of greatness in poetry is what you are. You have the mind that journeys everywhere on this planet and beyond. To stir emotions of anger, sadness and laughter is an amazing gift. To showcase your talent in such a personal piece of poetry and do it with the "Bridgey Flair" is great. Sometimes you sit and you watch people that should be doing something else with their life. I hope your journey leads you to opening up the lines of communication and the possiblities of change through your written words. It has to start some where why not with you and this piece. When you are on the circut promoting that book you will have the floor to spread your word, your gospel. Take advantage of that because this poem and I know there are more subjects that you inside of you is captivating. My mind took me into a resting place of dreams and change within myself. I do agree that this world could be a better place but we have to spread the word on how and what is missing. My favorite stanza in this poem and I love the whole piece is;

SO,
I CHALLENGE YOU, WORLD��..
NOT TO ALLOW YOUR GOD TO BE GREENBACK PAPER YOU RECEIVE,
THAT YOU PRAY FOR ON BENDED KNEES AT
THE CHURCH OF ATM MACHINES!!
I CHALLENGE YOU TO STOP WORSHIPPING YOUR ACCOUNT BALANCE AND COUNTERBALANCE YOUR NEEDS
WITH THOSE OF THE NEEDY!
FEED THEM NOT ONLY WITH BREAD,
BUT ALSO WITH GENUINE, EMPATHY!!

I do not know the direction of your book but this poem you created here is book worthy. Congrats it is wonderful to be back where poets push you to travel outside of the box. I thank you again!

[Alucard]

If you don't win the Pulitzer poetry prize for this one I will eat my left shoe! I abhor prejudice of any kind or form, we are all one in the sight of God so why should our views of each other be different then his. God created man in his own image but unfortunately man has returned the favor creating god in their own image, an image they can control and quantify and keep neatly packaged for marketing in any color of their choosing. Let me quote a singer friend of mine. " But God must be on the side of the side that's right and not the right that justifies itself in terms of might, least of all a bunch of neo-nazis running hooded through the night which may be why He's so conspicuously out of sight" God it not a God of greed or racism and he certainly does not take sides except His own. We have been to long living in the past instead of learning from it and moving forward and living in the moment, the hear and now. We as humans waste so much energy, on greed and hate, and labels, oh I disdain labels, when we could make such a difference in the world. Love is the only currency I believe is worth hording, if I am guilty of greed let it be of that precious commodity, it's worth defending and the bonds of friendship to me know no limits, no color or class and deeper, deeper still I would go for a friend. But the world worships the gospel of bondage with national security coming first above all at the risk of alienating their neighbors! Governments wear perpetual blinders to their real crime of ethnocentrism and the insatiable hunger for dominance. Many times I throw up my hands in disgust, but I still always hope for better. Keep writing this kind of wake up call and change will come, one person can make a difference but you should have made this a chain letter that keeps moving and pushing onward. This is the most inspirational work I have read in a long time. Very very well done.

[bluessadmood]

Oh my friend that was a wonderful writing,how i loved those words..I Challenge You,World..
To live Laugh and love,to fight to build a luminescent path of integration with and withing one another
I challenge you world to view your neighbors with intrigue as they bleed the same color red as you do
Out of no good dark woods and dangerous hoods that you have known them to reside and perish inside
Know your enemy well ,talk and understand ,they may never be the real enemies you thought them to be
Show children today the peace,tell about love and teach them that spilling blood is never the way to solve things
that was really wonderful my friend ,what an amazing write..how i loved it
lovely write..

[ajasminewallflower]

Oh my God this makes what to say "Bring it on !" This was an enlightening and empowering read.I found one particular part to be completely true where you are talking about people literally worshipping their bamk accounts. My mom was previously a banker so she always has mind on the money and money on the mind. I fell like everyone is obsessed with a piece of paper that has value to it. Personally, I thinkthis should be a speech made to the world and maybe we will finally be able to truely live out jimi Hendrix words when they are read out to society.

" When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then the world will know true peace."

[Cherry Berry]

This is a very inspiring piece. Well penned.
xox
Cherri

[Flow~]

I agree and would enjoy you reading this at his next inauguration. Very good write and I know it is even better when read.