You Are Wrong

27/08/2020 -  Poem a Day Compilation



You are wrong in every conceivable way.

I cannot begin to fathom how wrong

It is possible for one person to be,

Yet here we are.



When we met, I didn’t realise

How ideologically opposed we were

Because you camouflaged your true identity

To ingratiate yourself.



Maybe I missed all the warning signs

And wanted to see the best in you –

I’d set the bar so low without knowing

And the likes of you slipped through.



I’m sorry to say it took me too long

To call you out on your bigotry

And when I did it felt so good

And you took it so very badly.



You reacted like the child you are,

Throwing your proverbial toys from the pram,

And I was one of those toys your tossed

But you’re not getting me back.



You’ve made your bed to lie in

By choosing division over acceptance,

Your compassion chip not functioning

Nor your humanity interface.



I hope, one day, you’ll see the light

But I won’t hold my breath and wait.

I don’t ever want to hear your voice

And I won’t answer the phone when you call.



I don’t understand how you can’t see

That we are all just human beings

Trying to survive this thing called life

And our differences are miniscule.



The colour of my skin doesn’t matter,

It won’t change whether I’m kind or mean,

Unless you make it an obstacle to overcome

When it never was for me.



The language that comes from my mouth

Has no bearing on my intelligence

Though I marvel at those among us

Who can converse in many tongues.



What greater gift than diversity

May be bestowed upon our land?

The melting pot includes us all

And we should treasure every soul.



Your hatred burns inside your heart

And grinds your thoughts to dust;

But your vitriol will never reach my ears

Now that you have been cast aside.

Unemployed

07/08/2020 - Poem a Day Compilation



I am not unemployed.

I am unemployable.

There is no real reason.

It’s just what I’m told.



I have the qualifications.

I have done the all the hours.

I’d just like to be given a chance

Like everybody else.



I’m not overly political,

I don’t bring my views to work.

I don’t like to get into arguments

Or cause any tension.



I quite like sports and theatre,

I can happily talk about both,

And I’m not pushy with my opinion

Even when heavily pressed.



I can work from home or an office,

With others or on my own,

I sound, on paper, like perfection

Until I walk in the door.



They never come out and say it,

But how I look frightens them off.

They don’t need to tell me directly,

I can tell before they open their mouth.



I won’t apologise for who I am,

I can’t change the way I appear,

And if you won’t see past the superficial

I don’t want to work for you there.



But I would like to be given an opportunity

To show that I’m capable, at least.

That how I look doesn’t affect my work,

Only your perception of me.