In life’s rear view
Rosa refused to stand
Nelson paid the price for his land
King’s dream was shattered by a bullet
which birthed more bullets for the chocolate man
Until we said NO MORE!
© Vivian Zems
Seeing Black & White” photography by Susie Clevenger
Smell The Coffee 
July 12, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Prejudice has been with us us for centuries. It is ugly and unjust and used by those who were brought up to believe that language, colour, accent, and any number of other differences is sufficient to not trust and to belittle those of another race, colour, class or language from themselves…all because it scares them. It is a long hard journey to persuade them that the fault is theirs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:54 pm
Thanks Robin, one thing I’m glad about- it’s obvious now that the majority have had enough of injustice.
LikeLike
July 12, 2020 at 1:02 pm
I can’t imagine the heartbreak in these lines. May it indeed & at last be so. No more.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:55 pm
Absolutely! Thank you 😊
LikeLike
July 12, 2020 at 1:19 pm
These lines hold so much hurt , truth, and strength. I absolutely love this Vivian! A powerful and stunning poem! One that needs to be read by every human being! 💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:55 pm
Thanks Carrie 🙏🏽
LikeLike
July 12, 2020 at 3:46 pm
This is heartwrenchingly beautiful, Viv! 💝 It antagonizes me how much some people obsess over the colour of skin so as to belittle them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:56 pm
It is a universal problem… and has to stop. Thanks Sanaa!🙏🏽❤️
LikeLike
July 12, 2020 at 4:46 pm
Yes. All my heroes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:53 pm
Amen to that!🙏🏽
LikeLike
July 12, 2020 at 5:40 pm
In a few short lines you’ve captured the grief (and the shame) of generations. Will we never learn?
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:52 pm
We all hope to do better🙏🏽
LikeLike
July 12, 2020 at 6:53 pm
Perfect pairing of poetry and a video that literally brought me to tears …….
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:57 pm
Thanks Helen…. and to think the video was filmed by a white band in 2017! It’s time for us all to move forward- together!
LikeLike
July 12, 2020 at 7:31 pm
No more!!! It’s a righteous thing that’s happening now. Black lives matter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:52 pm
Absolutely!🙌🏽
LikeLike
July 12, 2020 at 9:32 pm
“NO MORE!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:51 pm
🙌🏽
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 10:21 pm
When will be ever learn
We are all God’s creation
Happy Sunday
Much💖love
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 12, 2020 at 11:51 pm
Absolutely! Thanks Gillena 😊
LikeLike
July 13, 2020 at 12:01 am
And may that continue to be said until there is real change!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 14, 2020 at 12:37 am
Amen to that, Rosemary!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 13, 2020 at 1:24 am
It is time for prejudice to end. I am so moved my photo sparked such a powerful poem. Black Lives Matter!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 14, 2020 at 12:37 am
Thanks for the picture, Susie!
LikeLike
July 13, 2020 at 5:31 am
Powerful and beautiful poem No More!
LikeLike
July 13, 2020 at 11:27 am
Yes, very powerful. This is well-expressed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 14, 2020 at 12:35 am
Thank you :)…I’m honoured
LikeLike
July 13, 2020 at 8:02 pm
We all have to say No More to this–otherwise, it will continue–Such a powerful write–and so true!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 14, 2020 at 12:35 am
Thank you :)…It really has to!
LikeLike
July 13, 2020 at 8:59 pm
Yes! No More!! Thanks so much for writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 14, 2020 at 12:34 am
My pleasure, Susie!
LikeLike
July 13, 2020 at 9:33 pm
I love your inclusion of our African American Greats and how you brought their past into today’s reality of the continuous fight from injustice to justice. Beautiful poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 14, 2020 at 12:34 am
Thanks Regina!
LikeLike
July 14, 2020 at 1:45 am
No more!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 19, 2020 at 12:56 am
Yes!!
LikeLike
July 14, 2020 at 4:58 pm
The weighty battles we still have to fight… Very well captured…
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 19, 2020 at 12:55 am
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
July 16, 2020 at 12:48 am
ENOUGH!
LikeLiked by 1 person
July 19, 2020 at 12:11 am
Indeed!
LikeLike
July 29, 2020 at 12:59 am
Thanks for sharing video too…gripping!
LikeLike
August 18, 2020 at 4:11 pm
these lines carry so much pain and strength. i absolutely love this poem! very powerful and heartwarming! thank you for sharing💞
Follow @everythingtips for tips and recommendations if interested! It would mean a lot to me!🥺🤍
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 21, 2020 at 4:17 am
Thanks..sure, will do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 19, 2020 at 8:19 am
That’s a powerful poem and great video!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 23, 2020 at 12:02 am
Thank you!
LikeLike