Let’s Fight To Be Free
Let’s fight to be free,
free from racism,
bigotry, oppression.
Let’s fight to be free.
free from self hatred,
arrogance, stupidity.
When do we fight to be free?
Now is the best time
to start this fight.
Let’s fight to be free
inside ourselves
Inside our minds
which must be free.
Free to think,
free to dream.
free to believe,
free to be me.
Let’s fight to be free
Don’t fight this fight
aimlessly.
Let’s fight this fight
individually, collectively.
Let’s fight to be free
We have no choice
but to fight
for such a great cause.
Let’s fight to be free
for present and future
generations
who must fight
to be free.
By William Cheeks
Scottsville VA
Reality
What is reality?
Reality is when
you get angry.
See yourself
without a job
without hope.
Without a chance
to fulfill
your dreams.
Reality is when
you see
racist police
officers.
They look at you
like you’re
a criminal.
They posture
themselves
disrespectfully,
smugly,
Knowing they
have power
to bust your head
open,
or to shoot you down
in cold blood.
What is your reality?
Is your reality
different
from mine?
I suppose it is.
My reality tells me
life is not
fair and equal.
African People,
People of Color
live a nightmarish
existence.
Rich White men live
high and lofty,
plenty of food to eat,
live in villas worldwide.
Secured fortresses,
blanketed inch by inch
by inch
in every nook
and cranny.
Poor people are trapped
like sardines
in a rat infested ghetto
existence, suffocated,
enclosed, surrounded
in a death trap.
High blood pressure,
suicide, drug abuse,
prostitution, idleness
results.
What is reality to you
has been a nightmare
for me.
Change my reality,
then your reality
no longer
becomes a dream.
It brings you
to a reality
you want to
escape from.
Escape, live in a bed
of ease.
Too bad, this dream
cannot last,
escape if you try.
The same people
you step on,
step over
will some day bring you
to reality.
The last shall be first
the first shall be last.
You are not alone
a lie cannot stand
forever.
Your lies of comfort,
perfection, ease.
But at whose expense,
at what expense?
Not yours, not mine
but by some misconceived
idea
That you deserve
an easy life.
This is not my reality,
nor your reality.
Reality says the rich
cannot take their wealth
with them when they die.
Reality says, all good things
must come to an end.
Face reality,
or reality
will face you
sooner or later.
Which choice will you make
in the matter?
By William Cheeks
Scottsville VA