Of Power, Words, and Intentions

by Mrs. KT

I truly hope that I may live to know
Why private words differ from public show.
Actions command a symbiotic scope;
That I may live to know, I truly hope:

For years I heard you spew hatred and lies.
From small to large, power framed your disguise.
Posing deep concern, you calmed students’ fears;
I heard you spew hatred and lies for years.

Many you found dull and unappealing;
Comments you made always sent me reeling.
Out of earshot, your disdain was not bound;
Dull and unappealing, many you found.

Your message, your tone was always the same:
High expectations but teach with disdain;
Minimal empathy for efforts shown.
Always the same was your message and tone.

Do you remember? I still hear your voice:
“They’re just so lazy; to fail is their choice.”
So began your classes each September;
I still hear your voice; do you remember?

In these troubled times, I now hear you shout
That “Black Lives Matter” – total turnabout.
“White America must pay for its crimes!”
I now hear you shout, in these troubled times.

Each day your public persona gains speed;
Champion white knight for the Black man’s needs.
Posting on line and protesting away,
Your public persona gains speed each day.

Have you really changed, or is this a ruse
To wipe away years of practiced abuse?
To suddenly become strident seems strange;
Is this a ruse, or have you really changed?

Perhaps I am wrong; you truly do care
to win equal rights all need daily share.
Perhaps…even though it’s taken so long,
You truly do care; perhaps I am wrong...

People can grow; I know it to be true.
I pray that is what has happened to you.
May your actions be sincere, not just show.
I know it to be true; people can grow.

<<<~~~>>>

With firm resolve, we can learn from our past.
Equality must come first and not last.
Racial tone-deafness demands to be solved.
We can learn from our past ... with firm resolve.

Write A Review

Recognized

#197
2020

The Swap Quatrain was created by Lorraine M. Kanter.
Within the Swap Quatrain, each stanza in the poem must be a quatrain (four lines) where the first line is reversed in the fourth line. In addition, line 2 must rhyme with line 1, and line 3 must rhyme with line 4 and so on, BUT not repeat the same rhyming pattern on subsequent stanzas.

Rhyming pattern: AABB, CCDD, and so on.
(www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/wip/swapquatrain.htm

Pays one point and 2 member cents.

You need to login or register to write reviews. It's quick! We only ask four questions to new members.

When one's current actions are seen in light of one's past

Of Power, Words, and Intentions

by Mrs. KT

Browse Now