Its not an excuse for inhumanity
God did not make us omnipotent
Nor did He make us judge and jury
Only He commands such authority
Racism, discrimination, hate
Arrogance, intolerance
None have a place in civilized society
Courage to withstand is paramount
Even though they will want us to burn
.
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Discrimination
By religious objection
Legally sanctioned
Isn’t it time we grew up
And let bygones be bygones
Yet some of us can’t
Gays can be refused service
In Arizona
That is if the law passes
Welcome back to the stone age
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
~
AUTHOR’S NOTE: For those that are interested here is a link to the story that prompted me to write this piece. Arizona is placing a bill in front of the governor for her signature or veto that allows individuals, businesses and religious institutions to deny service or admission, primarily to members of the LGBT community so long as they can show that their discriminatory actions were prompted by their religious convictions. This is disgraceful in my opinion and certainly does not make me proud to live in this state.
More cold than the season could possibly express,
Hangs in the air and the hearts of man.
We speak not of atrocities, we’d rather repress
Waged against others by their brother’s hand.
.
Considering ourselves a civilized sort,
Still in prejudice and intolerance we stand.
Giving no venue for them to retort
In what with affection we call the promised land.
.
This promise so cruel–seems held for the few
While the rest us are left to our own devices
The whip of the wealthy cracks to tame the shrews
While living high amongst their golden vices
.
Inequalities based on race, creed and color exist no matter how we wish them to fade,
Persisting throughout the years, not because we are right, but instead because we are afraid.
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~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Dogma plagues our human existence
Erasing common decency–trading it for war .
Souls bought and sold because of inspired word;
Thrown to the wolves by those in sheep’s clothing.
I do not hate religion, I do not deny its inalienable right
Nor do I deny the good which it contains.
Yet zealots pass judgment in the Name of their God–
destroying the lives of others…this I despise.
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~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
This modern day doth promote looseness of lips
Easily speaking with nary a thought,
Then later in regret we come to grips
With what is proper as we had been taught.
A click of send with no recall,
Forever unleashed upon our world,
Try as we might we can never stall
The insults and hurt that we have hurled.
Nay, neither you nor I are immune;
We’re feeble and frail in our judgement moral.
Apologizing and vowing a different tune,
We beg forgiveness both written and oral.
Would it not have been best to have bitten our tongue
Forgoing the backlash that has now begun.
.
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
The answer…easy!
Truth in a four letter word,
That’s what love is.
Dissolving hate and conflict
Were it not for our innate flaws.
There never was any other key
To pick our lock of despotism.
We held it all along,
But are either too afraid
Or too self-absorbed to us it.
This is the root of our evil,
Leading to our ultimate demise
Unless we insert key in lock
And turn it to the right.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Blinded by incessant greed,
You care not how it is acquired.
Crushing the lowly ant beneath designer wingtips
Screams for mercy go unheeded muffled in their death.
Prodded from birth a loss shall not be suffered,
Now so ingrained is it that you know no other way.
Color green, dreams of dollars, pounds, yen, your consummate brides,
You see nothing else, you see no inequity, no poverty.
Devoured by loathing, oblivious to anything but self
You despise those you view as vagrants, leeches, sycophants,
Treating them as rubbish though you know not their stories.
No time do you have for the common good,
Nor anyone or anything but your deepest desire.
Leaving all else to ride the wave of your deadly hate
While you strive to romance your lover…greed.
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~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Inspirational Quote: From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate – Socrates
Jem Farmer the Boi Poet – Poetry Prompt – Three on Friday – 23 August 2013
Painful
Raping ones identity
Extracting their soul
Just to claim superiority
Unfathomable to the logical mind
Disgusting to those blind to difference
Inclusion makes us grand
Communion makes us stronger
Ending prejudice
.
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Revel not in the happiness of others,
Nor share in their joy.
With false face and pasted smile, pretend,
Knowing this is wrong, stupid jealousy;
Unable to permit true glee,
Threatened by accomplishments beyond control.
This has always been and fear shall always be
A selfish flaw so ingrained it is painful.
What harm befalls, in the successes of others?
Not one in truth,
Yet the urge is far too strong to overcome;
Weakness takes hold,
Diminishing, making pronounced the small and shallow,
Subject to the frailty of the flesh.
A lifelong endeavor to subjugate,
Success measured in meager steps forward then back,
To slowly free the mind,
Grasp at joy in all that surrounds,
Pleasure in nature,
Serenity in communion with fellow man,
This struggle runs deep torturing heart and soul.
~
~~ Dominic R. DiFrancesco ~~
Glass houses, a stone was thrown,
Where vines with thorn and poison grown.
Mirror you look, but cannot see,
Thing you hate inside is me.
So much alike, minds eye blind,
Wall of stone you hide behind.
Fear the world would see what’s real,
Confront the pain too painful to feel.
Problems perceived, faults not mine,
No matter you can’t ignore the signs.
Bury them deep, you feel you must,
Someday the damage you’ll see I trust.
Stronger than you, you never realized,
Afraid to look into my eyes.
Afraid you’ll find myself in you,
False perception like bird would flew.
Carry on this childish game,
One day to burn out a candle flame.
My hope for you be sooner I pray,
Love yourself come-what-may.
~
~~ Dominic R. DIFrancesco ~~
Dom DiFrancesco 