Burning Crosses

For Langston Hughes. I could never write like him because he knew a pain I never ever could. I admire his heart and soul.

Burning Crosses

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada

 

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."- Langston Hughes 

I cried for a child who was hung on a tree

All because he looked like me

I wept for a girl who was beaten to death 

because she chose to love a girl till her dying breath 

A piece of me died for a reverend that's white

because he couldn't see; between the wrong, and the right 

If God can't make them see that we're all the damn same

I don't wanna go to heaven; I'd rather burn in the flames 

Author's Note

There are poets and then there are the greats. Those who inspire generation upon generation with words so significantly hallowed they become Psalms and prayers. Langston Hughes was one such poet. He transcends art and color to define humanity. CLE

Reviews

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[Maxwell Ryder]

I propose here one change “burn in flames” -
Other than that, and even despite, I love it!
And I completely agree.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

You are absolutely right Maxwell. I did a re edit to change it. Thank you kindly for your recommendation. I appreciate it.

[plaosi]

Page wed very interesting. Please continue to inspire those who visit our website in the most positive way. You can visit my website nytimes wordle

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for your comment and kind words. I will check out your link. Thank you again.

[Soren]

A great quote that your poem echos. I feel the empathy and humanity of what you say. Even so-called Christians do not follow their own teachings " judge not that ye be not judged..." We are all blind and often insensitive to others. Maybe hell is nothing more than our own conscious when we realize what we have done. I can not conceive of any worse hell than that. I loved the passion in the poem.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you for sharing your insightful moving thoughts with me my friend. They themselves echo with such a powerful truth. One that speaks toward our spiritual nature, and the failures to live up to the righteousness we espouse. What are the values of these teachings if we fail to live them in our lives? If we can not see the humanity in the least of us; then who are we to claim it in ourselves. You are as wise as you are a gifted poet, Soren. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Ken e Bujold]

Langston Hughes was a force of nature. Your tribute to him is a grand justice Carlos

ken e

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I totally agree with your assessment on the artistry that is Langston Hughes. I literally wept reading his poem Cross. It hit me right in the heart and left me profoundly shaken and moved to sadness. We as writers strive to write that single masterpiece within us. He did so many times. His work truly is timeless. An artist to aspire towards. CLE

[Toni.S]

Very heartfelt writing. Reflection is an important part of the soul.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Toni for your kind words. I wanted to pay my respects to one of the greatest poets Langston Hughes. The way he was able to shape hearts by simplicity in words is a marvel and talent I wish I had. After reading his incredibly heartbreaking masterclass of a poem called "Cross" I personally felt the need to pay it forward what his poem gave to me. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on this piece.

[Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn..]

Carlos,

You have set to pen of page a quite honest and candid assessment of the reality of Human existence upon planet Earth, an existence, sadly, twisted, perverted, and deceived by the fabricators and sellers of false hope known as Organized Religion (Judaism, Christiantiy, & Islam) ... The teachings and concepts of Heaven & Hell are, historically, Mythological Fairytales, and nothing more, as per my thoughts revealing the all too apparent illogical inconsistencies of the teachings of a Heaven's Hell and a coming Rapture with the return of a long dead, buried, and lying in his grave to this very day, Jesus: Rapture This: https://www.writerscafe.org/writing/FlynndeGraham/2827623/ ...

Marvin Thomas Cox-Flynn de Graham

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

As an agnostic I am of similar thoughts about the subject as you. Much of my experience comes from being raised Catholic for a time in my youth and a former alter boy as well. I had also contemplated becoming a priest but then I grew up. I grew out of the things that were of my parents. A rebellion of sorts not so different that the Bible's most famous in the fall. I found enlightenment in non-conformity. A freedom to be curious about the world and universe around me. I tend not to disparage one's faith because if it brings them to their better humanity then I'm for it. I just find for me personally it doesn't because of the hypocrisy within it. There are pieces of my writing though that some can view as religious or spiritual in tone which I will not argue. Because I don't seek to control what inspiration gives me. I'm just the writer. I do have an admiration for religious texts of all faiths because they speak at times, not always, in a specific human level reflecting empathy and our greater aspirational nature. Its rhetoric can move mountains, but also destroy them. It can build bridges, and also destroy them as well. I feel that it is encubant and vital as writers we are aware of this power in words. In this specific piece I wanted to pay homage to the great poet Langston Hughes who used the simplistic of language to shape hearts and minds. It was my hope to do the same in this poignant powerful message of a poem. Thank you Marvin for sharing your thoughts with me on this piece I truly appreciate it and have a deep respect for your perspective.

[carl]

new to the site, just trying different poets to see what is being done. I was introduced to Hughes poetry by a history teacher when she did her section on the Harlem Renaissance. Enjoyed, (no) appreciated (yes) what you had to say. Personally, I prefer to think God has done, is doing, will do His part, I think,"the fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves..." The Doctor said, "I have a dream..." It is our responsibility to live it. - Peace to you.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you I appreciate the comment you have left. I was born in those turbulent times of the mid 60's. As a 3rd generation Hispanic American. I readily admit my experiences, culture, and upbringing dictate my vision of what is is to be both American and patriotic. Having family members in the military, an uncle who served in Vietnam, as well as cousins in the gulf War. I've had to endure being called certain racist phrases and admit being just as weak to return such language. MLK Jr. Spoke of the aspirations of having a unifying dream, but I feel his most powerful statement dealt with the content of one's character. One can not reach toward such greater virtues until one firsts understands their own morality and defining ethics. Hate blinds us from reaching and understanding these better aspirations. What profits a man when all he knows is hatred? No dreams come to one such as he. We are the embodiments of all the experiences we have lived. They define our character and nature. When one lives by only vice they know not at all responsibility and moral obligations. But how do we teach a heart that only knows anger? By love, empathy, or caring enough to listen to their pain and suffering? The great American writer Eli Wiesel wrote that hate was not the opposite of love...it is indifference. When we stop caring for one another as human beings there is no dream possible to change the course of our inevitable demise. The content of one's character is synonymous with our better angels. Only then can we dream to be better. Not just individually but as a species. We are born flawed and raised in an imperfect world. But we are capable of loving greater than ourselves. Poetry speaks to that nature. Thank you kindly my friend for your words. I really appreciate it and wish you a greater peace as well.

[carl]

Enjoyed this response more than I can say. Thank you for the time and thought that went into it. Take care.

[JE Falcon]

Although I agree with much of your poem says, well stated, that it is. --- However, if we are already down-under and we don't have a clue that we are in that place where we pay restitution for past deeds, then everyone is just reaping what they sowed from the last go-around. --- Just say-n, you never can tell. :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Your words have much truthful weight my friend. I myself try to remain totally optimistic. I feel we can change and must endeavor to do so. We can not become what we fail to recognize within ourselves. Indifference should never win out against love and hope. Because when it does we become complicit towards the actions that define its disreputable behavior. By not speaking out against it we reveal ourselves to be just as culpable if not moreso. One must always stand for the ideas that define our better humanity. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me on this poem.

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