It’s hard to look for a good laugh

when so many of our channels expose the madness

of what seems to be consistent harassment

of what some might call . . .

How do you converse and talk about

videos and uploads from people on their walk about

showing millions and millions what to gasp about

because honestly to see so many videos about . . .

Well, that might be where we get stuck

or unable to label true stories or fables

either over dinner or all too often under the table

dealing with people who . . .

Well that might make things sticky

when hearing only one side of a story sure makes things iffy

and so we are left with a tricky . . .

What is race?

And is that the question?

Or what is racism

and is that the conglomeration of too many. . . swirling in one population

with too many nationalities, ethnicities in one or several locations?

Again, is that the question?

I watched videos of the recent incidents

and no lie, I felt completely absent from joy

and completely different from indifference

but also distant from revenge or payback.

I honestly felt more under attack

not from a color, but from a sin

something within every human

and because we are fallen

we lack the courage to say what C.S. Lewis so eloquently expressed:

“We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst.”

end quote.

Isn’t that utterly ridiculous and even senseless?

But, oh dear friends, he is speaking to our present day existence.

We take Jesus out of schools

and are stupid enough to demand and look for values.

We sanction abortion,

but lock up thieves.

We “Hooray!” same sex marriages

and question why little boys and little girls struggle with identity.

We laugh and mock politicians,

but stay out of the polls

and then when we turn on the tv,

we have the audacity to ask, “What is going on?”

So is that the question?

What channel should I watch just to get away from this humiliating madness?

What channel can I view to escape the constant harassment?

To be honest, friends,

when I watch these videos again and again,

I fall to my knees in utter repentance

because I start to see color when I see brutality.

I start to see race when I see crimes against humanity.

And I only feel that way when I lack the courage to say these words from Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

“Judging others makes us blind whereas love is illuminating.”

end quote.

Then no wonder we can’t see.

Our judgements have burned down these cities

and we wrestle all night

wondering who and what color will be the victim of our fights

like 2 wrongs ever made a . . .

Mother Theresa smiled and said, “God will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?”

end quote.

Is that the question?

That question will expose the reality in our hearts

as we 60-mile-an-hour brick through windows

hoping that will cover up the anger and grief in our souls

and so we submit to temporary exhilarations

contributing to an ongoing deviation

of how not to deal with a systemic situation

as we watch those bricks shatter bank accounts

but do we even take into account

the morning after the one night stand

when fumes consume the inability to resume

the life we presume or desired.

I have a question because I can’t put out this fire:

How do unjust deaths lead to grocery buggies with flat screen tvs

car trunks with microwaves and DVD players?

Yeah! I’m a hater.

What are we doing and what have we done?

We’re teaching a younger generation that sin has a color

and revenge is the other route to avenge

and we’re letting them grow up with another lie.

Why are we quiet?

If we choose to send a message of silence

we are inevitably advocating the violence.

It’s hard to see through the anger in our hearts,

the unforgiveness in our carts,

Add to cart

the grudges in our cart

Add to cart

the vindictive actions that tasted sweet but only backwash tart

Add to cart

Check out!

HECK NO!

Some of us need to check in and ask yet again “What is the question?”

What can we do to get away from this stench of sin covered in revenge

covered in avenge someone’s death.

Our plight has us fight against skin,

but the only real fight is the one against sin,

but how do you fight a force you can’t grab, you can’t choke?

Is that why we burn down buildings because at least with smoke

we can see the ruin of our demise

and yet even when I close my eyes

I can’t shut out or shout out the images inside.

I’ve already seen them – the punches, the chokeholds, the funeral and in these last days my brothers and sisters, get ready for more turmoil.

All men sin and fall short;

that’s nothing new to report

accept with that terse verse feel free to rehearse your own shortcomings.

May not have involved a chokehold or a gun

but a sin is a sin, and in the end,

we all desperately need repentance.

Don’t we?

Isn’t that the question?

end quote.

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Anita Scott

Poet & Performer at Anita Scott

At some point in elementary school, my mom bought me my first book of poetry by Nikki Giovanni. . .I read that book over and over. What I didn't know at the time was, the Bible is poetry, so I had, in essence, been introduced to poetry even before I knew what it was. I can remember reading Psalms, admiring David, and then taking his praises and laments and turning them into rhyme schemes. Years and decades later, I too began lamenting and rejoicing through the use of rhythm and rhyme and have found poetry to be healing, cathartic, and fun, so much so, I love teaching others how to write poetry and I love seeing faces when they realize, "Whoa. I can do this too?" I have a heart to echo the chambers of Heaven through poetry and hope that others find healing and wholeness as they listen.

Anita Scott resides in Texas, is a Middle School Principal,and loves all things nature: water, trees, mountains, canyons, hummingbirds, and the list continues. She is the 4th of 8 children, born to James and Ruth Scott, and loves to spend time with family and friends.

Latest posts by Anita Scott (see all)

• Hope Feed - January 25, 2021
• Look at His Pattern - August 1, 2020
• Bellows - April 6, 2018