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Open Poetry #22
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D.Lester Young
Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1219
Austin, Tx

0 posted 2002-09-29 03:25 PM


(Controversial satire)


Since when has it become anti Semitic
To challenge Israel’s policies
As an American, I can blast Democrats
Into Republican teachings, God forbid
Having Enron headaches with Tyco relief
Can you tell me what party they are from?
I have my suspicions
But that might be anti American

Should my words fall silent?
While Wall Street collapses
And my retirement is now a dream
Maybe I should becomes a Democrat
In sheep’s clothing, hiding in pack money
Counting the money while Republicans have BUSHes
Sorry, a slip of the poetic tongue
I meant embarrassing blushes

As a fellow poet, I respect Amiri Baraka’s opinion
Not to say that he is always right
For poets are thinkers in sometimes abstract ways
But I can do him justice by listening
Within uncensored rules of freedom
Maybe disagreeing at the end
But leaving the decision for me
And not the Anti Defamation League

Read this carefully before sending me to the league
I am anti Jew, anti Black, anti White, anti Protestant
Anti Catholic, Anti American …
Anti everything that says they are better than someone else
I am a human being in love
With all the races, creeds and nationalities
Am I prejudiced?
I am so human that it is one of my fallacies
That I try to shed in God’s light
In understanding the human bonding
In this great countries diversity

I am controversial so that is why some will seek to silence me
And other poets whose verse open the wounds of society
For someone has to reach in and questions things
When everyone is passing the blame
And the media is blinded by creative accounting
Not in monetary terms but by controlling dissent
In biased reporting, ask reporters in Houston and Texas
If they where leaked info of any wrong doings
But do not ask a politician there
For they were paid by some real creative accounting

So let my words open wounds that need attended to
Curse my name into book burnings
Put me to a level lower than life and bury me
But words that question always break ground
At first in weeds of discomfort
Soon overtaking the toil of lies
Finally blossoming in the drizzle of pure static truth

So that leads me to the “Anti Defamation League”
I am not all the time pro Israel
I question things as an uncensored American
This does not however make me anti Jewish
For Jewish convictions gain my self respect
But in the zealots of any religion
Which dictate to me certain commitments
Of total devotional obedience
I claim ignorance in that faith
Within America’s religious freedoms

I thought the league was for all of humanity
Now I see you just as a controlled puppet
Afraid of the words coming from poets
I bless you in your faith that you can see the light
That censorship here will not be tolerated
And as Americans we can dissect the truth
Even coming from the politicians here
Who can not be taken for their word
In any religions light


Thought: Politicians do all right until they feel their power go to their head and pocket books.

Reason of this poem: Amiri Baraka, who became the poet laureate of New Jersey, was asked by Gov. James E. McGreevey to step down for a poem he read on his views. Pressure from certain groups caused the governor discomfort. Before the poet was given the honorary post he warned he might be controversial. The governor said he could take the heat (NOT). In the poem the poet stated, he thought Israel had prior knowledge of the September 11 attack. While he might have to provide a disclaimer that his opinions do not dictate New Jersey politics. He has a right to express himself as poet. As a poet I think it is important we express ourselves as artists not imprisoned by politics. Will this mean in New Jersey what you say away from your job will cost you your state job, even if it is mostly honorary?

The Japanese government for years denied any knowledge of North Korean kidnapping even while the proof sat before them. Finally the truth came out to their embarrassment. If they had poets and others questioning from the beginning, would things have been put under carpets to build up resentment on how things were handled.

A free press unhindered by any power machine, in the beauty of words uncensored, living in God’s special light of inspired teachings.


D.Lester Young 9/29/2002
Tuscaloosa, AL
Copyright © D.Lester Young (White Eagle poetry)


© Copyright 2002 David Lester Young - All Rights Reserved
ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
1 posted 2002-09-29 03:33 PM


Life's poetry is not always painted rose...
Courage in your work poet...soft words carry a powerful and far felt wave.
ThisDiamond

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