“We few left who listen to the radio leave
Ourselves available to surprise.”
Source: The Tradition
“Have you ever been too old, too young, too big, too small, too smart, too dumb?
Have you ever been too fat, too thin, too shy, too loud, too slow to win?
Have you ever been too scared to try, too small to play, too young to die?
Have you ever been too weak to fight, too little yet, or not quite right?
Have you ever been too dark, too light, too black, too brown, too red, too white?
Have you ever been put off ’til last, the odd man out, the jerk they sassed?
Have you ever been the one black sheep, the naughty child, the nerdy geek?
Have you ever been the butt of jokes, the timid soul, the oddest folk?
Have you ever been left out of fun, forgotten when the day is done?
Have you ever been afraid to lose? Afraid to try? Afraid to choose?
Have you ever been too rich, too poor, too venturesome, or just a bore?
Have you ever had no clue at all? Nowhere to go? No one to call?
Have you ever been without a friend? Have you ever wished the day would end?
Have you ever had the biggest nose, the longest arms, the funny toes?
Have you ever had the flattest chest? Have you ever had the biggest breasts?
Have you ever prayed your luck would change? Have you ever felt your life was strange?
Have you ever wished for something more, or something less than what you were?
If you have ever felt this way, you're one of us I’m here to say.
We've all been there a time or two because we're human, me and you.
We've all felt different in some way because we are, and that’s okay.
We've all been hurt; we've all been scarred. That's life. And frankly, life is hard.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“An honest man won’t stoop to swindle,
thieve, or tell a lie.
Despite his need, despite the greed,
an honest man would rather die.
An honest man will seek out better,
higher roads to take.
Integrity and loyalty,
an honest man will ne’er forsake.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Silence is my defense.
The protector whom I trust.
A sturdy shield,
A loyal safe-keeper,
A sentinel, impassable.
Silence is my refuge.
The shelter in which I hide.
A peaceful home,
A safe sanctuary,
A fortress, impenetrable.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Now we are beginning to ask
the crucial question.
If it is natural to be black
and red or brown or yellow
and if it is beautiful to resist
oppression
and if it is gorgeous to be of color
and walking around free,
then where does the problem
lie?
Who are these people
that kill our children in the night?”
Source: Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart
“To the Po'lice
In case you are
wondering
the answer is yes:
you have hurt us. Deeply.
Just as you
intended:
you and those
who sent you.
You do know by now
that you do not send
yourself?
I imagine your Designers
sitting back
in the shadows
laughing
as we weep.
Though usually devoid of feeling,
they are experiencing a sensation
they almost enjoy:
they get to witness, by twisted
enchantment, dozens
of strong black mothers
weeping.
They planned
and nurtured
your hatred and fear
and focused the kill shot.
Then watched you
try to explain
your innocence on TV.
It is entertainment for
them. They chuckle and drink
Watching you squirm.
They have tied you up
in a bag of confusion
from which you
will never escape.
It’s true you are white, but you are so fucking poor,
and dumb, to boot, they say.
A consideration that turns
them pink
with glee.
(They have so many uses planned
for the poor, white, and dumb: you would be
amazed).
You and the weeping mothers
have more in common than you might think:
the mothers know this.
They have known you
far longer
than you have known them. After centuries,
even those in the shadows, your masters,
offer little mystery.
If you could
find your true courage
you might risk everything
to sit within a circle, surrounded
by these women. Their eyes red
from weeping, their throats raw.
(They might strike you too, who could swear
they wouldn’t?)
Their sons are dead
and it was you
who did the deed.
Scary enough.
But within that enclosure
Naked to their grief
Is where you must center
If you are ever
To be freed.”
Source: Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart
“shame the bad
comfort the good
do the rosa parks
just like she would”
Source: Acolytes
“I want you
To heed that I'm still here
Just beneath your skin and in
Each organ
The way anger dwells in a man
Who studies the history of his nation.
If I can't leave you
Dead, I'll have
You vexed.”
Source: The Tradition
“It’s okay to not be okay every hour of every day.
It’s alright to not be right every time you have a fight.
It’s just fine to not be fine every time you’re asked to shine.
It’s all good to not be good at everything you wish you could.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Season's Greetings by Stewart Stafford
Season's Greetings
To those we are needing,
While I am leading
The Festive charge.
Christmas love is fleeting,
The snow is sleeting,
And there's every chance of feeling,
A thaw in my cold heart.
Season's Greetings everywhere,
Let War cease and all be fair,
A heart that's full of Christmas cheer,
Bravely faces the New Year.
And so, we feast and celebrate,
For those we've lost, we contemplate,
Christmas is an emotional stocktake,
Of those still here and those that are late.
The year winds down to that last date,
Resolutions tempting fate,
New Fear's Eve, many hate,
And choose to socially-isolate.
Season's Greetings while you can,
To every woman, child, and man,
Season's Greetings, don't you wait
Hold back now, and it's too late.
And in the end, all we do,
Is create memories for the few,
Who mattered while we strode this earth,
Then back to the place before our birth.
Season's Greetings, decorations down,
Bittersweet crunching sounds,
Topple the tree to live again,
Twelfth Night, the inevitable end.
© Stewart Stafford, 2020. All rights reserved.”