an opinion expressed potently
in a White House meeting about
murdered Blacks, the living
marginalized—here’s my response
Black Life Matters
Do I even need to say it
Yes, I do
My best friend was Black
He died too young—
Complications from surgery
What a teacher
And a humorist as well
At least, to me
I am not Black, part
Native American according
To a family historian,
Which is good, though
Looking at me, I doubt
That you could tell
I am not female; I am
The enemy: an older,
White male
I eschewed the ol’-boy
Invitation and have
Often paid the price
Not in my life (though
Maybe there, too)
But in my work
In which I’ve lost the
Favored political place
Maybe each one has
A circle drawn around
From fear and politics
Leaving that (or never
Entering) means that
Protection from the
Core is not available
And some measure of
Persecution too easily
Is acted on
“Loving Engagement”
From a better Black-drawn
Circle of union and
Society change—I don’t
Know if I’ll be let in,
Resembling and, appropriately
(Regrettably), perceived
I’d stay in the back
And write my verse
In which I argue that
All are free
And should be free
That to usurp the job of
God in assessing human
Worth is about as wrong
As this world can get
Black folk (Black discourse
Uses that word; and,
Being from Kentucky, I like
Folk and folks, though I’d
Change the old state-song
Lyrics, too)—Black folk are
Self-determining, of course
I cringe to have to make the
The claim, as all persons,
Being made, are free and
Free to choose
clcouch123 
February 23, 2016 at 5:59 am
Oh. Poweful words, and truthful words, Christopher. This reminded me of the recent book that I’ve read. The famous To Kill a Mockingbird. Discrimation by skin color is just saddening.
February 23, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Thank you, Rosema. Skin colors should be a treat. Discrimination, you’re right, is sad. Racism tends to madden me.
February 23, 2016 at 11:10 pm
Great poem. Engaging and powerful. I can see the emotion in it, as your best friend was African American. I don’t honestly see why people look at skin, people are people. And you are very right when you say, it’s not up to us to decide who is better. Only God assesses,but he assesses our souls.
February 24, 2016 at 4:07 pm
Steve was such a good friend. And he died young. I miss him every day. You’re right of course: it’s God’s role and place to judge. And God does that perfectly. And I don’t know why we can’t find skin color a treat. I see the color of my skin every day. That’s fine. But I like to look at tones that are not mine. Thank you for your affirmation. I hope you’re having a pleasant week.