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

[William Michael Reeves]

Perhaps heaven is adjacent to hell. Each have their own gate, but no interior walls, allowing the innocent to burn and the evil be exposed. Your duty as a poet is to report, upon your arrival in heaven, the hell it can be. Our condition may not change, but your words of understanding can temper the pain and heal the wounds. So please, when heaven calls and you answer to your power, may your pen build a barrier to hopelessness!

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you William for your kind words and encouragement. Poetry does reflect our souls and the spirit from which they derive. It is the best of us on a human level. They are filled with hope, love, and sorrow. And the lessons they attempt to teach speak towards our better angels. Continued success in your art my friend and thank you for your kind words.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

I read the last verse and pondered a while
What I see about that is God does definitely want us to see that but unfortunately the devil is at play on earth yes he’s here and always trying to get people to be evil look at what’s happening right now on this earth
It’s not that God doesn’t try
There’s two power at work and that’s the problem
Maybe I’m wrong I’m not a great intellectual I just see things very simply
I liked your poem very deep
Thanks 🙏

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Julie for sharing your thoughts on this poem. There really isn't a right or wrong answer in this poem I feel. I think it's more based on context and perspective. To try and live understanding what it is like to walk in the shoes of someone else who is much more different than I am and whose lived perhaps a far more difficult life than me. What pain would make someone turn away from love? What we believe God to be. This poem asks of us to see the other side that is not so rosy or kind. Where the thing we put out into the world can impact others in a painful way as to make them turn away from love and give up. This poem asks us to feel empathy for those different then us. Because in the end we all love the same way...with our hearts. I'll be honest I'm not at all an intellectual thinker, if anything I'm probably more like you and think more with my heart. That's where all my art comes from, and that is the same place your amazing poetry and words do too. Thank you so much again.

[Pete]

a stark, powerful truth presented in an elegant manner. if only everyone felt as such ... :)

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Pete for your comment on this poem. As the great poet Langston Hughes words have often prove sometimes the simple truth has the most poignant powerful message. If I could only be 1 tenth of the artist he was I would be happy with that. CLE

[W. Barrett Munn]

I normally do not like end rhymed couplets but that choice here works brilliantly by juxtaposition of the simplicity of structure with the immense complexity of the subject matter. Kudos, CLE, this really works.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you so much for sharing your kind assessment and thoughts on this piece. I really appreciate it. I couldn't have written this if I hadn't first read the works of poet Langston Hughes. As writers we strive to use language in order to elicit emotion from our audience. Art is best effective when it moves both heart and mind towards its better humanity. When it breaks down different perspectives and reveals our empathetic nature as universal. A shared love. As poets we give our audience a reason to dream, but as dreamers we give our readers a reason to hope. Thank you so much again for your words. They truly encourage the writer in me.

[Betty Hermelee]

This so powerful Carlos! you equalize the human race, in essence.It doesn't matter what color, what's wrong or right, or who to choose as your loved one? whose to judge that??? Certainly not God....I like the quote from Langston Hughes and how he defines humanity.
Love this piece.
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Betty I so appreciate your thoughts on this poem. The first time I was ever moved to tears and wept openly after reading a piece of poetry was Cross by Langston Hughes. It is a brilliant piece of writing and the most powerfully effective in speaking of race in historical context to our nation. As writers we dream of writing something that emotionally compelling and empathetic. Because they change hearts and minds of those who may be of opposing perspectives or beliefs. They have us questioning our own moral character and move us towards our better humanity. His work is timeless and generational and will always have relevance. As the writer of this particular homage I wish it could be better, but it is the message that matters the most. Thank you as always for your supporting encouragement in my poetry.

[Betty Hermelee]

Hi Carlos, I’m so sorry that I have been ignoring you, not intentionally for sure, I love your work, but you have disappeared from my friend list, can you please re-friend me? You’re very welcome!
Best
B.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

langston hughes would compliment this piece...
you show a great understanding...one much like he had in his work...

I love Langston and teach both "Dream Deferred" and "Cross" in my class...

Powerful, every line of this...addressing multiple issues.

Bravo, Carlos,
j.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you J you are too kind. What I wouldn't give to be present in those classes you teach my friend. Your students just don't know how lucky they are to learn from you. Hughes poetry changes hearts when read and absorbed. One cannot walk away without a better understanding of race and its legacy throughout history. Reading his poem Cross was the first time I actually wept after absorbing the work of those haunting words. That is the power of writing. As a writer we strive to elicit a response from our audience that reflects the nature of our work which we present. It is in that emotion we find hope. The writing of Langston Hughes is timeless and generational because to read it is to feel and empathize in a perspective that may be different than our own but reflect our common humanity. It is my absolute hope as a writer that someday I can write something like he did that could move hearts and change minds; to love better. Thank you again my friend for your kind words.