list is a magnet to the trigger

For Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, Oscar Grant, Kendrick Johnson, Jordan Davis, Jonathan Ferrell, Renisha McBride, Marlene Pinnock Marissa Alexander...but wait, Micheal Brown

list’s get’s bigger and then it’s gone reach her, it’s gone be the women and before the thoughts push their ways from beneath the nose hear it’s already beginning

how is it we’re prospering now…post who now?

 

guess it depends are which field of vantage points one is standing on, guess maybe it rest on how it’s all analyzed… Fox News, who says those wise and attempt rising are twisting those who are members of the focus group, of course these ones are mindless half witted grinning unsuspecting with grills

 

paying with food stamps they don’t understand the way to life even though they the ones living it, no, these aren’t the one’s kissing the guns and asphalt, next it is the women…WHAT IZZZ WE GONE DO and who izzzz you talkin to

 

cause deez’ reads contrary to popular belief, well no maybe not so much the books and papers, no these reads vapors…it’s the spirit in the air, they reads their children dying their neighbors children expiring and distant kin…all they have to do is look through the next wall

every month another one makes headlines

 the lens is the town cryer in this post racial what? being steadily declared, it don’t seem nothings going nowhere

don’t know what this means?

here is something else fails widely known…

 

THEY DO

 

who is they? …some of these everybody’s child now and may theyz one day be yours

(what it feel like

what it look like)

 

list waiting for those part your reflection and the children of your children

Maybe Your Children

soon

  as every weapon spent pierces someones seed

 post racial... my a-ggravation

Author's Note

no explanation needed

Reviews

[Shaquana Adams]

who is they? …some of these everybody’s child now and may theyz one day be yours
(what it feel like
what it look like)

This is astounding. It hits me a bit harder now because on social media people are either talking about it nonstop or completely ignoring it. I feel like people on either side needs to read this. Great poem Shirlena.
-QuanaWana

[Cory Barrett]

I live in a city that is forgotten world of "who cares" (yes in the city not the, upper middle class burb 30 minutes out). The walls here are painted with names of children to remember, because they where forgotten before they where dead. This is an issue that plagues every corner of this country, even if it wasn't in you back yard... it was in someones back yard. Don't forget, so we all won't have to remember.

Shirlena, this write pure truth.

[Lyn Anderson]

This is amazing. Cuts like a knife, truisms abound. The use of the colloquial truly effective in this piece. Your writing cuts deep, and to the heart of the matter in an astounding way.

[Ashira Macy]

Can I just say that this is probably the best written sociological observational poem I have ever had the pleasure of reading? Not that I have seen all that many. There are a few now and then that make statements about how woman are treated, or children in other countries, which is important, but this is a breath of fresh air in a country polluted with propaganda claiming that we are "post-this" and "post-that". We are post-nothing. Have we improved? Yes. Are we anywhere near done? Not even remotely. Thank you for this thought provoking and eye opening piece of art. Keep writing, keep informing, keep teaching.

[Frieda P]

Someone is on a mission....your words jump off the page and slap me upside the head, and say PAY ATTENTION!! What can be said here other than your voice rings clear like a bell with the volume amp'd up....lots of stuff to gnaw on here Shirlena. Outstanding. Bang, bang, so sad.

[Shirlena]

Thank you Frieda...it really is sad and I wish it didn't hurt but it does so I take to writing.

[Frieda P]

Hopefully it served to be cathartic in some way...seems that's where all the hurt goes.

[Shirlena]

It does...I usually always feel better afterwards, just need to vent. Thanks puddin pop ;)

[Frieda P]

Awh you know you blow my skirt up when you call me that dahlink ;)

[John Alexander McFadyen]

And I thought you wore the trousers!

[Glen Yumang Manese]

You say it how it is in the lines...
its all in black and white...
point blank...
reality hits hard...
yet the fix is not encouraged...
time to step up and be the cure...
and not the cause...

[Shirlena]

One day Glen...one day :) Thanks for reading and the uplifting words.

[Glen Yumang Manese]

you're welcome...

[kublakhan27]

I must be honest and tell you that I traditionally steer clear of political writing, but of course I will always make an exception for you...you've offered enough food for thought here to feed my mind for days...this is definitely something that requires multiples readings, almost demands it...but your voice is always direct and deliberate and hard-hitting, which is what makes your work great...the imagery is rattled off like gunfire, and I can easily envision this being told in an bitter and unamused voice...you've done a sterling job of making your points without sacrificing a purely poetic feel...great work Shirlena.

[Shirlena]

Is this considered political for you because I see it as a societal and cultural disease. For me it's about humanity and lack there of as well as negative influences, maybe even media but I'm not a political person myself. I don't even dabble in politics so what about this piece feels political for you? I really appreciate that despite your apprehension you read anyway. I understand having limitations because I don't read anything supernatural, including spiritism or demonism either but I write stuff like this out of disgust and angst. Thank you for reading this because of me kub :).

[kublakhan27]

Always a pleasure my friend...there were a few things that took my mind in that direction: Fox news, the racial references, food stamps...mind you I have a history of being totally off the mark when it comes to interpreting things...it's also been very hot lately and the summer heat doesn't always agree with me...I mention that cuz it messes with my concentration/reviewing skills...but I had taken a break from reviewing and I wanted to make sure I visited my friends first :)

[Shirlena]

That's ok I understand that is what those points translated to you :). We all see different things in poetry.