A Dream Denied

No cure from madness...

A Dream Denied

Selected freedom

Through force and violence

Hangs proudly around their brass necks

Like a blooded petulant pendant

Ethnic necklaces

Of a privileged racially minded few

Accompany their misguided clarion call

Give me liberty or give me death

Peaceful demonstration

Portrayed as a treasonable affront

Fueled by negative rhetoric and actions

Obscures Luther’s poignant vision

Ignored pleading

I can’t breathe beneath lethal knee

Evoked an emotional eruption of protest

Probing civil and economic equality

Seminal moments

Confirm past lessons have not been learnt

And patriotism for all is again gone astray

As we eyewitness a dream denied

Copyright @ Phillozofee 2020

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I know two folks who would echo these sentiments...exactly....Martin Luther King and Langston Hughes---
as i think of "I have a dream" and then "dream deferred"---
a write that makes us stop and think...and think....and think....
now all we need to do is act.
j.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Thank you Jacob - I agree wholeheartedly with your review! And echo Langston Hughes stanzas from his poem 'Dreams' -
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly

[emmajoy]

Truth in every line, Phill, and worded so finely. The last stanza says what I've said and thought since uni: why don't people learn from the past, and, vitally, where are the experts in this or that field who are brave enough to show their true colours. What is rightly legal, what is legally manipulated? . The corona virus is with us and has been for months. This other virus has been with Man since sides, parties and clans were created to master neighbours, borders, countries and freedom for any seemingly acceptable reason. In the present case, how many reasons are there - a few more deaths? Start counting NOW.

[.]

We are all certainly having a bad year! I agree with many aspects of what has happened, particularly the unnecessary use of force, but the subsequent anarchy, looting and burning has been hijacked by all manner of far right and far left agendas. It has just gone too far. You know.....there was an actual incident just last year or so of an Australian, white woman, living in the US, who called the police after hearing screams in an alleyway behind her house. When the police arrived, she approached the vehicle to explain what she heard and she was shot point blank through the window by an officer and killed instantly. In light of that incident and the current one....where was all the need for looting and burning in her case? It was met with silence. Its inequality in itself. It flows both ways. Two innocents killed. Two very different outcomes thereafter. Its a sad incident that has been hijacked to the detriment of all. Its quite sad and your poem is one that will provoke a variety of comments.

[Nervana Zahran]

Very powerful
“Ignored pleading
I can’t breathe beneath lethal knee”
This really got me.

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Thanks for your passionate comment my friend ... be safe and well... :-)

[h d e rushin]

I never say to myself, "what if Mr. Floyd wasn't killed at all". But I always say "what if Mr. Floyd's murder wasn't filmed at all? dana

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Good point my friend...there is a two edged sword to internet usage; one side promoted lies and nasty tweet rhetoric and the other exposing realities. Thanks for sharing your thoughts... be safe and well... :-)

[Betty Hermelee]

Good comment on the tug of racial inequality, and how equality has failed in our country; police brutality has not been addressed, resulting in the latest and most tormented killing of an innocent black person; brings on protests, turning ugly and violent. Martin Luther King would turn over in his grave if he knew what chaos was brought on by hoodlums, not the "peace-nicks" You're right in saying ...." past lessons have not been learnt"...but perhaps with the continued "push" for Black Lives Matter, hopefully some good will come to this important issue with a new leader in the White House!

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Thank you Betty - your review is most appreciated - be safe and well...:-)

[Betty Hermelee]

Of course Phil!

[Chris Shaw]

So sad what is happening. That poor man's terrible death generating into violence, looting and riots. Martin Luther King would be turning in his grave. Nothing wrong with demonstrations. When it turns into this it is beyond ugly. Only takes a few to start a riot. Great write Phill. You have a talented pen.

Chris

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Thank you Chris - this write just flowed from my mind in about 10 minutes of pure sadness... Bless you :-)

[Chris Shaw]

Sad, sad, situation :(

[Dave Brown]

well penned
something about over 9000 being arrested
the beat goes on