I Would Never Clothe You in Words so Cheap

Words, like clothes are sometimes set upon us by others but fail to cover our complexity.

 

Words of such contemporary fashion

Worn about the necks of naked fools

Capitalist scarves, and Socialist ties

Liberal stars and Conservative stripes

 

These trappings offer up no protection

Instead they only serve to hang us up

Atop the greedy gallows of prejudice

To teach the masses a black lesson

 

That black lesson, also a black lesion

A festering blight upon the open mind

That would otherwise create en vogue

Tailoring, better suited to fit the body

 

The couture of the future starts today

Emblazoned with respectful accents

Seamless and supportive by design

All awash in healing shades of color

 

Sporting such a fine cloth of complexity

The eyes of the beholder are compelled

Into conversation and shared admiration

While old worn gallows fall out of fashion

Author's Note

I wanted to show how words, like labels are set upon people to be worn, but that they only cover a small portion of a person's complexity, and by labeling like this we injure ourselves by adopting prejudices and perpetuate that behavior to the detriment of all.

Reviews

[Troy Henson]

I grew up with the basics without the labels but unfortunately went to school with so many that adorned the labels and how i was ridiculed and the prejudice that ensued was something that i will never forget. There is more to life than labels. Everyone is an individual and has a character of their own....hiding behind a label only says to me that they are not truly happy with who they are. Just a thought I suppose.

Nicely done Astro

Regards
Troy

[willweb]

This poem is exceptional. Your message is extremely clear and understood. I enjoyed reading this today.

[Astro]

Thank you very much willweb, I'm a big believer in the destructive nature of labels and how the perpetual application of labels to people must be given up. Rarely are the labels that we attribute to people offering a full picture of an individual. Few of us can have our character summed up in one word or more. I'm very happy that you understood this and enjoyed the read. Thank you for the review.

[s y e]

Words are so like labels... I loved the analogy here, Astro - Your writes are always full of meaning and honestly I adored it. Once you're labelled that's it, it never leaves you and it will follow you about for the rest of your life... labels suck.

[Astro]

That is most often the case, I'm glad that you enjoyed the meaning of this piece Noodle. We must attempt to break this sort of cycle and allow for more understanding between one another rather than pass judgement quickly and narrowly. Thanks for the review.

[Travis Gibson (poetic h..]

You murdered that analogy! Brilliant writing, with an equally compelling subject... My pen hand applauds this!

[Astro]

Hey PH, how's the struggle going? Keep that pen hot and head high. Thanks for the review my friend.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

It's always a pleasure... and those are the only ways to behave in this struggle, otherwise it would have us for breakfast!

[Astro]

Too true my friend beware the hungry maw. ;)

[Frieda P]

Labels are damning, no matter what, clothes, personality traits, afflictions, we don't all fit in one tiny cubicle of any description, people are complicated enough as it is. Stellar read Astro.

[Astro]

The finest of us will understand this, that you can't define the sun by simply saying it is yellow. Thanks for the review Frieda.

[A. Amos]

Astro my friend, first the title is brilliant, second the subject you selected very strong and third you crafted well...bravo

[Astro]

I'm glad you appreciated my words and design. Thanks for taking the time to review my work, I am grateful.

[A. Amos]

Honor and pleasure is all mine, will keep coming back and you're most welcome

[Astro]

Thank you again for the kind words.