Poetry on Black Lives Matter Protests and Riots Worldwide The Society June 23, 2020 Culture, Deconstructing Communism, Poetry, Terrorism 13 Comments It Matters Not On Sunday, June 21st, three men were stabbed to death while sitting in Forbury Park in Reading, England. by Susan Jarvis Bryant On Sunday in a leafy English park, A knife slashed in the gleam of evening fun, Till emerald sprawls of lawn were stained and dark with deeds by one whose soul had come undone: A raging reprobate released from jail. A terrorist who didn’t serve his time. A killer on a homicidal trail To revel in an evil, bloody crime. Where are the wringing hands and keening pleas Of protest at the slaughter of these men? Where are the banners and the bended knees For three who’ll never breathe Earth’s air again? It matters not the shade of someone’s skin When calling out the savagery of sin. Dumb and Dumber by Joe Tessitore I am a thug of no renown. I smash and burn and knock things down. And here you come to kiss my ass, Hoping that II’ll give you a pass. You may be dumber still than me— I hold the brick, you take the knee. Send Us a Leader! by Michael Charles Maibach All of us, Those with souls, Ask one thing— In life, my role? Why this place? Why this time? Why that bell For me does chime? It’s only me, One mere man. The hill is steep, So many ran… Ran for cover— There they wait. Asking each— “Is it too late?” Is it too late For our dear Land? Now too late For it to stand? “Send a leader!” People cry. “Let him stand— To him we’ll fly!” “Where is Lincoln In our new need? Return him now With his true Creed. Reach from heaven— Heal our hearts, Light the way— We’ll do our parts. “For score, seven” “Malice, none,” Uncivil War Must now be won! NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 13 Responses Leo Zoutewelle June 23, 2020 Joe, although I’ve had about enough of terror-inspired “poetry”, I thought the clever biting sarcasm of “Dumb and Dumber” was marvelous! Thank you, Leo Reply Joe Tessitore June 23, 2020 Thank you, Leo. You’re tired of reading them, and rest assured that I’m tired of writing them. How wonderful would it be to get back to rhyme, rhythm, and rapture!?!? I do still think that there are points to be made, and I only submit something if I think that it does. It’s a blessing to have our Editor-in-chief overseeing all. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant June 23, 2020 I agree with you wholeheartedly, Leo. Well done, Joe! Reply Julian D. Woodruff June 23, 2020 Ms. Bryant’s sonnet deserves praise, too–for its bite, its anger, its eloquence, and its civility. But Mr. Tessitore makes his point, too. The non- response of Catholic bishops to desecration of Columbus statues etc is like an invitation for thugs to start heaving rocks at stained glass windows–for a start . Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant June 23, 2020 Thank you very much for your astute comments, Julian. I am saddened by current events and I do realise the bigger picture. It’s very hard to get through to those who cannot see history repeating itself. I am pleased you’ve seen exactly what I’ve tried to achieve with my words. Thanks again. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant June 23, 2020 Mr. Maibach, for me, your poem speaks to the heart of everyone who wants peace on earth and wonders what they can do to assist in achieving it in these turbulent times. Again, for me, standing up and speaking the truth goes a long way to opening eyes that may have been closed by propaganda. We are privileged to have a poetry site (thank you, SCP) that allows us to connect with all in words that are constantly shut down in this time of universal deceit. Reply Martin Rizley June 23, 2020 Really powerful poetic statements to mark these tragic days in which we are living. I appreciate the thought that has gone into each of them, and the closing couplets of each poem drive home in a refreshingly clear manner the truth of what is really happening before our eyes–truth you will never hear from politically correct media pundits, compromised politicians, and sadly, many preachers! Reply Mike Bryant June 24, 2020 All three are powerful and well written, and Martin is absolutely correct that the closing couplet of each poem, put together as one, makes a very nice summation. Reply Joseph S. Salemi June 24, 2020 Have you all heard the latest? Some stupid bitch named Tracy Reeve in Yorkshire has started a campaign to force the removal of all public images of St,Michael the Archangel triumphing over a supine Satan. According to her, it’s “racist” because it depicts a white man crushing the neck of a black figure. The removal would also be mandatory from all church windows, and from the badge of any order of knighthood that makes use of this image. What is utterly beyond belief is that a number of public figures in the brain-dead British establishment are already cringing and collapsing in the face of this demand. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant June 24, 2020 It’s sheer madness. The idiocy isn’t confined to Britain. In America, Shaun King, a staunch BLM activist, is calling for anything resembling “white Jesus” to be expunged from the public square. And, just for good measure, the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany, or MLPD, recently installed a statue of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in the city of Gelsenkirchen. I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end of the Western World. I hope and pray we have time to overcome this. Reply Mike Bryant June 25, 2020 Joe S, Your comment made me curious so I looked it up. It seems the forces of darkness are in ascendancy. You posted this yesterday, and this morning James Tweedie’s beautiful sonnet about Michael appears. I believe that God is also at work here. Reply The Society June 25, 2020 For what it is worth, Mr. Tweedie’s post was scheduled some weeks ago, so indeed, the timing was providential. David Paul Behrens June 24, 2020 I’m getting sick and tired of this planet. Here’s another way of looking at it: Violence Is violence part of our DNA? It must be, as it will not go away. It’s just the way it is, sorry to say. We see violence each and every day. No matter how hard we hope and pray, It looks like violence is here to stay. Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Leo Zoutewelle June 23, 2020 Joe, although I’ve had about enough of terror-inspired “poetry”, I thought the clever biting sarcasm of “Dumb and Dumber” was marvelous! Thank you, Leo Reply
Joe Tessitore June 23, 2020 Thank you, Leo. You’re tired of reading them, and rest assured that I’m tired of writing them. How wonderful would it be to get back to rhyme, rhythm, and rapture!?!? I do still think that there are points to be made, and I only submit something if I think that it does. It’s a blessing to have our Editor-in-chief overseeing all. Reply
Julian D. Woodruff June 23, 2020 Ms. Bryant’s sonnet deserves praise, too–for its bite, its anger, its eloquence, and its civility. But Mr. Tessitore makes his point, too. The non- response of Catholic bishops to desecration of Columbus statues etc is like an invitation for thugs to start heaving rocks at stained glass windows–for a start . Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant June 23, 2020 Thank you very much for your astute comments, Julian. I am saddened by current events and I do realise the bigger picture. It’s very hard to get through to those who cannot see history repeating itself. I am pleased you’ve seen exactly what I’ve tried to achieve with my words. Thanks again. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant June 23, 2020 Mr. Maibach, for me, your poem speaks to the heart of everyone who wants peace on earth and wonders what they can do to assist in achieving it in these turbulent times. Again, for me, standing up and speaking the truth goes a long way to opening eyes that may have been closed by propaganda. We are privileged to have a poetry site (thank you, SCP) that allows us to connect with all in words that are constantly shut down in this time of universal deceit. Reply
Martin Rizley June 23, 2020 Really powerful poetic statements to mark these tragic days in which we are living. I appreciate the thought that has gone into each of them, and the closing couplets of each poem drive home in a refreshingly clear manner the truth of what is really happening before our eyes–truth you will never hear from politically correct media pundits, compromised politicians, and sadly, many preachers! Reply
Mike Bryant June 24, 2020 All three are powerful and well written, and Martin is absolutely correct that the closing couplet of each poem, put together as one, makes a very nice summation. Reply
Joseph S. Salemi June 24, 2020 Have you all heard the latest? Some stupid bitch named Tracy Reeve in Yorkshire has started a campaign to force the removal of all public images of St,Michael the Archangel triumphing over a supine Satan. According to her, it’s “racist” because it depicts a white man crushing the neck of a black figure. The removal would also be mandatory from all church windows, and from the badge of any order of knighthood that makes use of this image. What is utterly beyond belief is that a number of public figures in the brain-dead British establishment are already cringing and collapsing in the face of this demand. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant June 24, 2020 It’s sheer madness. The idiocy isn’t confined to Britain. In America, Shaun King, a staunch BLM activist, is calling for anything resembling “white Jesus” to be expunged from the public square. And, just for good measure, the Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany, or MLPD, recently installed a statue of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin in the city of Gelsenkirchen. I hope this isn’t the beginning of the end of the Western World. I hope and pray we have time to overcome this. Reply
Mike Bryant June 25, 2020 Joe S, Your comment made me curious so I looked it up. It seems the forces of darkness are in ascendancy. You posted this yesterday, and this morning James Tweedie’s beautiful sonnet about Michael appears. I believe that God is also at work here. Reply
The Society June 25, 2020 For what it is worth, Mr. Tweedie’s post was scheduled some weeks ago, so indeed, the timing was providential.
David Paul Behrens June 24, 2020 I’m getting sick and tired of this planet. Here’s another way of looking at it: Violence Is violence part of our DNA? It must be, as it will not go away. It’s just the way it is, sorry to say. We see violence each and every day. No matter how hard we hope and pray, It looks like violence is here to stay. Reply
