Photo of Martin Luther King.‘First and Foremost’ by Susan Jarvis Bryant The Society November 22, 2021 Beauty, Poetry 30 Comments . First and Foremost We’re human first and foremost: kith and kin. So never judge on looks and looks alone. We’re made of more than just our shade of skin. We’re flesh and blood. We’re brothers to the bone – Yes brothers, as in fellow human souls. Our gender is of minor consequence When drawing on the conscience that controls Our ways and deeds and blesses us with sense. We’re human first and foremost: love and light. We shine with spirits gifted and unique. We’re sinful too; we’re capable of spite. We’re mild. We’re wild. We’re volatile. We’re meek. We differ in more ways than we can name Yet being human makes us just the same. . . Susan Jarvis Bryant is from Kent, England. She is now an American citizen living on the coastal plains of Texas. Susan has poetry published in the UK webzine, Lighten Up On Line, The Daily Mail, and Openings (anthologies of poems by Open University Poets). 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. CODEC Stories:Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) 30 Responses Brian Yapko November 22, 2021 Susan, this is a truly beautiful sonnet with a truly beautiful – and crucial – message. It is quickly becoming a world in which skin color is becoming the paramount feature that signals a person’s worth instead of character; where race is a defining characteristic rather than a mildly interesting but ultimately insignificant aspect of a person. In the hands of unbelievably short-sighted and malignant leftists ours has suddenly become a far more racist society than it has been in at least three generations. Your poem beautifully blasts that whole mindset and restores the proper perspective, the spiritual perspective that we are indeed fellow human souls. I love your subtle invocation of God — “the conscience that controls our ways and deeds and blesses us with sense.” If only. But I must say, your poem does an amazing thing — at least for me. In a world riven by hateful identity politics, your work makes me want to be better than I am. Thank you for the read. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Brian, firstly – thank you very much. Your considered, philosophical and appreciative comments are always an absolute treat to receive. Secondly, how can you do better than you are doing? I’m striving to be as good as you! Thirdly, “the conscience that controls our ways and deeds and blesses us with sense.” is missing my inner naughty twin’s input. She would have written: “the conscience that controls our ways and deeds and blesses us with sense… assuming there was any conscience or sense to draw upon in the first place.” I’m saving that one for a future poem… I don’t want my critics to think I’ve gone soft. 😉 With much gratitude, as ever. Reply Russel Winick November 23, 2021 Very well said, Susan, and so true. I grew up in a very diverse environment, and your poem beautifully sums up the principal lesson that I learned from it. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Russel, thank you for your comment. I think many of us have grown up in diverse environments… it’s a given if you live or work in a large city. I also think the majority of us know my poem’s principal point… that’s the sad truth of it. The current power-crazy government don’t want us to unite in knowledge and compassion… it will spoil their plans. Reply Sally Cook November 23, 2021 As always, a sonnet that sings — you are something else, my dear friend. Don’t ever stop; keep on keeping on. Thanks for reminding us of so many things. And have a wonderful Thanksgiving, you, Mike and King George. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Dearest Dame Sally, your beautiful words are a soothing balm to a stressful period in my life, and I thank you for them. I will keep on keeping on and you make that prospect easier. Wishing you, Bob and Mayor Whitey a wonderful Thanksgiving too! With love and gratitude and a nudge and a purr from King George. Reply Martin Rizley November 23, 2021 A timely and beautiful reminder of the common humanity we share and the fellow feeling that ought to instill in us– a Samaritan-like love of neighbor, without regard to outward identity, instead of a Cain-like, jealousy-driven enmity toward our fellow human beings– people who, like ourselves, are made in the image of God. Though in one sense, humanity is profoundly and undeniably divided, since spiritually, some follow in the steps of Abel and others in the steps of Cain, yet in another sense, we are one human family– which is why the rich man could not justly tun a blind eye to Lazarus at his doorstep and say, “He is no relation of mine, nor do I need to concern myself with his needs.” How we need to stress our common humanity and the divine call to “love one´s neighbor as oneself” at a time when wicked agitators are using identity politics to stir up class conflict and tear apart nations from within, utilizing the old stragedy of “divide and conquer” in pursuit of their own self-serving, totalitarian goals. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Martin, thank you very much. Your perfect words lift my poem to loftier realms and shine a brilliant light on the meaning behind them. We should all have ‘a Samaritan-like love of neighbor, without regard to outward identity’, and I honestly think the majority of us do… if we don’t let the serpent whisper in our ear. There are so many mainstream media lies and there is so much political propaganda flooding the psyche it’s difficult for a free thought to swim against this brutal tide without drowning. That’s why looking above for answers is the best policy… the Government, Big Pharma and the MSM are not the answer to our prayers. Thanks again, Martin, and have a happy Thanksgiving. I’m most grateful for your words of wisdom. Reply Peter Hartley November 23, 2021 Susan – one of those poems to which my first reaction upon reading is, “This deserves much wider currency, sadly, than it is ever going to achieve”. It should be learned off by heart by primary schoolchildren. It should be penned in exquisite calligraphy, framed, and hung over their beds. It should be written at the beginning and end of their essays and homework in their exercise books, as children in Jesuit schools once used to inscribe AMDG and LDS in theirs. It reminds us we don’t have to write their instead of his when we mean his or hers (that his alone will do the job) any more than we need to refer to our fellow man as one among our “bristers” (at least for the moment – but it will come to pass) to remind us that “mankind” and “our brothers” incorporate the human race and not just half of it, without intending any slur on the status of womankind. The antitheses in “We’re mild. We’re wild. We’re volatile. We’re meek”, capped by the all-embracing final couplet, the biggest antithesis of all, can only be described as the work of a mistressful creatrix. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 This mistressful creatix (what a superb accolade) is basking in the scintillating wonder and dazzling wisdom of your words. What a beautiful thought – my poem ‘penned in exquisite calligraphy’ shaping keen and developing minds. It makes me long for an education that bowed to the greater glory of God and praised God always. Looking heavenward instead of governmentward makes for a fairer and more joyous journey through life on earth… I know I’ve reached the age where I can say that with conviction. Peter, you never fail to make me smile. I thank you for you and your wonderful take on poetry and life. Reply Sandi Christie November 23, 2021 Susan, thank you so much for writing these wonderful words, and even Evan’s choice of photographs is perfect. These ideas have been conveyed by masters many times throughout humanities’ earthly journey but instead of listening to these ideas, we kill the people who deliver them, and then fight and kill each other. We should be teaching the unifying wisdom of Martin Luther King in the schools today and flushing the divisional insanity of CRT down into the sewer. Thanks for shining some light into the darkness! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Sandi, it’s always good to hear from you and I agree wholeheartedly with every word of your comment, especially the ‘flushing [of] the divisional insanity of CRT down into the sewer’. It’s hard-hitting, honest words like these that fire me to write those poems that attract much criticism from those who claim to embrace diversity and love everyone, but do just the opposite. I feel one coming on 😉 Thank you for your boldness and inspiration, Sandi – rare traits in these thought-crime times. Reply Cynthia Erlandson November 23, 2021 I agree with everyone’s comments here; this is a much-needed and very well-written poem which I wish could be read by all! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Thank you very much, Cynthia. I feel certain if it was read by all, I would be hauled over the coals by the sisterhood… the word ‘brother’ is probably a toxic patriarchal trigger word that would send many to a safe space to pet an angora goat. LOL Wishing you and Paul a happy Thanksgiving. Reply David Behrens November 23, 2021 An outstanding sonnet, based upon an excellent concept! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Thank you very much for your heartening observation, David. I appreciate it. Reply Norma Pain November 23, 2021 As Peter Hartley said, “It should be learned off by heart by primary schoolchildren”. The first four lines say it all. Thank you for this amazing poem Susan. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Norma, thank you very much. If only generations to come had an education that shaped a future that shone with the peace and love promised. I thoroughly appreciate your words. Reply C.B. Anderson November 23, 2021 This poem, Susan, is pith of the first water, and technical execution of the highest order. At this point, you should probably consider submitting uplifting poems to The Anglican Theological Review. Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 C.B., praise from a poet as gifted as your good self is always welcome and always makes me smile. Thank you for your advice – I will most certainly follow up on it. A very merry, nectar-blessed Thanksgiving to you! Reply C.B. Anderson November 23, 2021 From your pen to God’s notepad. Jeff Eardley November 23, 2021 Susan, You have done it again. A most uplifting piece on our common humanity amidst all the nonsense going on these days. I agree with Peter on this being a daily mantra for all schoolchildren before it is too late. Wishing you both the most happy of Thanksgivings. You certainly deserve it. Reply Paul Freeman November 24, 2021 The sentiment is spot on, and, as Jeff says, this is a very uplifting poem. Only those on either extreme could think otherwise. Reply Mike Bryant November 24, 2021 Paul, as far as extremes go. Here is some food for thought: https://theobjectivestandard.com/2012/06/political-left-and-right-properly-defined/ Reply C.B. Anderson November 24, 2021 Wow, Mike. After that meal I’m no longer hungry. Mike Bryant November 24, 2021 The only thing wrong with the graph since it was posted in 2012… progressives have moved from the center to the far left… that is, from forcing their agenda, to extreme force. There’s no right and left, only right and wrong. Where governments are concerned, forcing people to comply is wrong. Susan Jarvis Bryant November 24, 2021 Thank you, Paul. Reply David Watt November 24, 2021 Susan, you shine a light on the truth just when we need such illumination. Skin is “to keep your innards in” as they say, and has no bearing on character. Bravo to humanity taking precedence over the current infatuation with gender! Reply Susan Jarvis Bryant November 24, 2021 David, thank you very much for this… I especially like the thought of skin being “to keep your innards in”. Superb! I hope and pray that humanity wins the day… and wins it quickly. Reply Daniel Kemper December 2, 2021 Flawless execution as always. A pure pleasure. Been away a bit. Forgot how much I missed this. Encore! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Captcha loading...In order to pass the CAPTCHA please enable JavaScript. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Brian Yapko November 22, 2021 Susan, this is a truly beautiful sonnet with a truly beautiful – and crucial – message. It is quickly becoming a world in which skin color is becoming the paramount feature that signals a person’s worth instead of character; where race is a defining characteristic rather than a mildly interesting but ultimately insignificant aspect of a person. In the hands of unbelievably short-sighted and malignant leftists ours has suddenly become a far more racist society than it has been in at least three generations. Your poem beautifully blasts that whole mindset and restores the proper perspective, the spiritual perspective that we are indeed fellow human souls. I love your subtle invocation of God — “the conscience that controls our ways and deeds and blesses us with sense.” If only. But I must say, your poem does an amazing thing — at least for me. In a world riven by hateful identity politics, your work makes me want to be better than I am. Thank you for the read. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Brian, firstly – thank you very much. Your considered, philosophical and appreciative comments are always an absolute treat to receive. Secondly, how can you do better than you are doing? I’m striving to be as good as you! Thirdly, “the conscience that controls our ways and deeds and blesses us with sense.” is missing my inner naughty twin’s input. She would have written: “the conscience that controls our ways and deeds and blesses us with sense… assuming there was any conscience or sense to draw upon in the first place.” I’m saving that one for a future poem… I don’t want my critics to think I’ve gone soft. 😉 With much gratitude, as ever. Reply
Russel Winick November 23, 2021 Very well said, Susan, and so true. I grew up in a very diverse environment, and your poem beautifully sums up the principal lesson that I learned from it. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Russel, thank you for your comment. I think many of us have grown up in diverse environments… it’s a given if you live or work in a large city. I also think the majority of us know my poem’s principal point… that’s the sad truth of it. The current power-crazy government don’t want us to unite in knowledge and compassion… it will spoil their plans. Reply
Sally Cook November 23, 2021 As always, a sonnet that sings — you are something else, my dear friend. Don’t ever stop; keep on keeping on. Thanks for reminding us of so many things. And have a wonderful Thanksgiving, you, Mike and King George. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Dearest Dame Sally, your beautiful words are a soothing balm to a stressful period in my life, and I thank you for them. I will keep on keeping on and you make that prospect easier. Wishing you, Bob and Mayor Whitey a wonderful Thanksgiving too! With love and gratitude and a nudge and a purr from King George. Reply
Martin Rizley November 23, 2021 A timely and beautiful reminder of the common humanity we share and the fellow feeling that ought to instill in us– a Samaritan-like love of neighbor, without regard to outward identity, instead of a Cain-like, jealousy-driven enmity toward our fellow human beings– people who, like ourselves, are made in the image of God. Though in one sense, humanity is profoundly and undeniably divided, since spiritually, some follow in the steps of Abel and others in the steps of Cain, yet in another sense, we are one human family– which is why the rich man could not justly tun a blind eye to Lazarus at his doorstep and say, “He is no relation of mine, nor do I need to concern myself with his needs.” How we need to stress our common humanity and the divine call to “love one´s neighbor as oneself” at a time when wicked agitators are using identity politics to stir up class conflict and tear apart nations from within, utilizing the old stragedy of “divide and conquer” in pursuit of their own self-serving, totalitarian goals. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Martin, thank you very much. Your perfect words lift my poem to loftier realms and shine a brilliant light on the meaning behind them. We should all have ‘a Samaritan-like love of neighbor, without regard to outward identity’, and I honestly think the majority of us do… if we don’t let the serpent whisper in our ear. There are so many mainstream media lies and there is so much political propaganda flooding the psyche it’s difficult for a free thought to swim against this brutal tide without drowning. That’s why looking above for answers is the best policy… the Government, Big Pharma and the MSM are not the answer to our prayers. Thanks again, Martin, and have a happy Thanksgiving. I’m most grateful for your words of wisdom. Reply
Peter Hartley November 23, 2021 Susan – one of those poems to which my first reaction upon reading is, “This deserves much wider currency, sadly, than it is ever going to achieve”. It should be learned off by heart by primary schoolchildren. It should be penned in exquisite calligraphy, framed, and hung over their beds. It should be written at the beginning and end of their essays and homework in their exercise books, as children in Jesuit schools once used to inscribe AMDG and LDS in theirs. It reminds us we don’t have to write their instead of his when we mean his or hers (that his alone will do the job) any more than we need to refer to our fellow man as one among our “bristers” (at least for the moment – but it will come to pass) to remind us that “mankind” and “our brothers” incorporate the human race and not just half of it, without intending any slur on the status of womankind. The antitheses in “We’re mild. We’re wild. We’re volatile. We’re meek”, capped by the all-embracing final couplet, the biggest antithesis of all, can only be described as the work of a mistressful creatrix. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 This mistressful creatix (what a superb accolade) is basking in the scintillating wonder and dazzling wisdom of your words. What a beautiful thought – my poem ‘penned in exquisite calligraphy’ shaping keen and developing minds. It makes me long for an education that bowed to the greater glory of God and praised God always. Looking heavenward instead of governmentward makes for a fairer and more joyous journey through life on earth… I know I’ve reached the age where I can say that with conviction. Peter, you never fail to make me smile. I thank you for you and your wonderful take on poetry and life. Reply
Sandi Christie November 23, 2021 Susan, thank you so much for writing these wonderful words, and even Evan’s choice of photographs is perfect. These ideas have been conveyed by masters many times throughout humanities’ earthly journey but instead of listening to these ideas, we kill the people who deliver them, and then fight and kill each other. We should be teaching the unifying wisdom of Martin Luther King in the schools today and flushing the divisional insanity of CRT down into the sewer. Thanks for shining some light into the darkness! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Sandi, it’s always good to hear from you and I agree wholeheartedly with every word of your comment, especially the ‘flushing [of] the divisional insanity of CRT down into the sewer’. It’s hard-hitting, honest words like these that fire me to write those poems that attract much criticism from those who claim to embrace diversity and love everyone, but do just the opposite. I feel one coming on 😉 Thank you for your boldness and inspiration, Sandi – rare traits in these thought-crime times. Reply
Cynthia Erlandson November 23, 2021 I agree with everyone’s comments here; this is a much-needed and very well-written poem which I wish could be read by all! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Thank you very much, Cynthia. I feel certain if it was read by all, I would be hauled over the coals by the sisterhood… the word ‘brother’ is probably a toxic patriarchal trigger word that would send many to a safe space to pet an angora goat. LOL Wishing you and Paul a happy Thanksgiving. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Thank you very much for your heartening observation, David. I appreciate it. Reply
Norma Pain November 23, 2021 As Peter Hartley said, “It should be learned off by heart by primary schoolchildren”. The first four lines say it all. Thank you for this amazing poem Susan. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 Norma, thank you very much. If only generations to come had an education that shaped a future that shone with the peace and love promised. I thoroughly appreciate your words. Reply
C.B. Anderson November 23, 2021 This poem, Susan, is pith of the first water, and technical execution of the highest order. At this point, you should probably consider submitting uplifting poems to The Anglican Theological Review. Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 23, 2021 C.B., praise from a poet as gifted as your good self is always welcome and always makes me smile. Thank you for your advice – I will most certainly follow up on it. A very merry, nectar-blessed Thanksgiving to you! Reply
Jeff Eardley November 23, 2021 Susan, You have done it again. A most uplifting piece on our common humanity amidst all the nonsense going on these days. I agree with Peter on this being a daily mantra for all schoolchildren before it is too late. Wishing you both the most happy of Thanksgivings. You certainly deserve it. Reply
Paul Freeman November 24, 2021 The sentiment is spot on, and, as Jeff says, this is a very uplifting poem. Only those on either extreme could think otherwise. Reply
Mike Bryant November 24, 2021 Paul, as far as extremes go. Here is some food for thought: https://theobjectivestandard.com/2012/06/political-left-and-right-properly-defined/ Reply
Mike Bryant November 24, 2021 The only thing wrong with the graph since it was posted in 2012… progressives have moved from the center to the far left… that is, from forcing their agenda, to extreme force. There’s no right and left, only right and wrong. Where governments are concerned, forcing people to comply is wrong.
David Watt November 24, 2021 Susan, you shine a light on the truth just when we need such illumination. Skin is “to keep your innards in” as they say, and has no bearing on character. Bravo to humanity taking precedence over the current infatuation with gender! Reply
Susan Jarvis Bryant November 24, 2021 David, thank you very much for this… I especially like the thought of skin being “to keep your innards in”. Superb! I hope and pray that humanity wins the day… and wins it quickly. Reply
Daniel Kemper December 2, 2021 Flawless execution as always. A pure pleasure. Been away a bit. Forgot how much I missed this. Encore! Reply
