Write a Rant Prose poem or write a poem about blindness … I did both!
Are your ripples tender or toxic?
bigotry is blind cruelty
we’ve all been guilty at sometime
the damage done
the harm caused
with righteous outrage
is purely self-indulgent
it comes from ignorance
small-minded blindness
with far reaching repercussions
it kills community spirit
it alienates others
it’s totally unfounded
yet outrageously rampart
it’s insidious and lividus
and woefully unnecessary
it’s a cesspool
manifesting from ignorance
about people or things
unknown
fear of the unknown
indulging self-righteousness
with inhumane blindness
we sprout harmful words
sharp nasty looks
shut others out with rudeness
kill their joy
with such hateful intolerance
yes I’ve been a victim too
putdown gaslit and abused
by those intolerant of ‘difference’
too lazy to ask what I’m about
easier to poke fun at
talk about
exclude and ridicule
rather than engage
or ask about my story
it’s relentless
it’s merciless
it’s insidious
and constant
those ugly looks
hurtful exclusion
and the endless torment
when confronted
by a First Nation colleague
who asked
“How could you know about prejudice?”
I listed a long string of incidences
to gain their undying respect
so even amongst us – those different –
there is little comprehension
of the spates we are each subjected to
the hurt runs deep
it’s a constant seep
creeping into the marrow of my bones
no one
not one of us
should ever know
such wearying mindless taunts
not fitting into societal expectations
daring to be individual
rather than follow the “norm”
is a lonely but rewarding path
as you know the poison they spawn
it makes one wary of socialising
just waiting for that toxic reaction
subtlety harder to deal with
solitude a worthy state
lockdowns a thankful excuse
to avoid social duties
knowing the few who accept us
ensure to keep us
separate from their friends
knowing the rigid mindset
it’s easier to avoid others
that narrow self-righteousness
where do we get off
what is the point?
know my own weakness
learn some meekness
isn’t it healthier to share
loving support and innate kindness?
think you’re more tolerant
think again …
cease this perverted mental violence
it’s damn cruel ignorant blindness!
this has been so cathartic,
I’ve written on the subject before but personalising it took me deeper
… it’s a constant toxic creep!
aroused 
An amazing poem kate! ❤ ❤ well said, here, here!
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Very well articulated Kate. You’ve reached inside and extracted the toxins, they ooze through your words. An antidote to ignorance one must hope
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hope, education and most importantly AN OPEN HEART 🙂
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I’m glad you were able to get these feelings out Kate. Intolerance can leave huge scars. (K)
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the depth and darkness of intolerance was initially unknown to me … being the recipient has changed my life!
Sorts the wheat from the chaff so to speak …
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This is awesome! I’m feeling the blast repercussions of the emotional explosion!! This was certainly an excellent vehicle to get rid of that negativity and as you say, toxins… Wow.
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Well said, Kate and such a profound poem. Too good.
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I agree with every word Kate!
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Phew! That was some rant and I get you when you say writing it was cathartic!
Awesome write, sis.
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Kate, a rant is good for the soul, I think. I agree with all you say, and some of it is painfully relatable. Hope all is well with you! ❤
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Everyone is capable of intolerance, which is why we all need to be on guard against it. Know one should be on the receiving end of emotional abuse…no one!
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The only cure of intolerance is kindness. A kind heart learns to see the world through a new kind of vision. Happy are the souls who adapt to this view for they are more accepting of themselves as well. Suddenly, you come to see that the pond is full of beautiful swans (or pelicans, or ducks, or whatever), all just trying to survive. Life can be so hard, and the pond can be brutal at times. Each swan has its own legacy and grace. Each swan shares a story all its own. Such a powerful poem you have written here… it makes people think about how their actions affect the entire pond, how their actions can hurt so deeply.
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wow what an impressively wise response, kudos Linda … every ripple has ramifications and hope I’ve made at least one person rethink their mindset!
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This is right-on, powerful, and heart-touching! I can relate, SweetKate.
Oh, how I wish every person in the world could read this poem!
A great reminder that people should realize that every person they encounter has felt pain and mistreatment in some form. Everyone has struggles. (Some just hide them better than others.) Some chose kindness and understanding in how they deal back…others just add more pain in the way they behave and speak. 😦
If only people could stop judging and hurting…and try to understand. We are more alike than we are different.
May ripples of kindness, mercy, tenderness, love, and forgiveness flow!
(((HUGS))) ❤️
PS… “I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain.” – James Baldwin
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thanks for such an amazingly insightful response O wise one!
this does sum it all up perfectly
“If only people could stop judging and hurting…and try to understand that we are more alike than we are different.”
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Of all the words in your rant, I believe SMALL-MINDED BLINDNESS are the ones which capture the essence of those who contribute to the “moral cesspool” we are witnessing. This is because they are completely unwilling and/or unable to think for themselves, and allow themselves to be led by the nose by those who do their ‘thinking’ for them.
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I won’t pretend to be as wise as many these wonderful comments above Kate … I think these sort of ignorant attitudes have been around for a long time .. .. now I’m lost in my own Sunday morning thoughts …. hmmm … humans are so damn self righteous and ignorant … what I am trying to say is reflected in this wonderful music/video …
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I can imagine what the victims of such bigotry go through and often take a lifetime to heal from such idiots, arrogance in destroying lives. What you wrote spoke to me as the mind hovers to so many times, due to our lack of empathy, understanding and education.
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appreciate your honesty VIshal, many have avoided this post … maybe too close to home!
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That’s the unfortunate truth and people like to justify with What Ifs arguments!
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you nailed that …
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It’s the fear that causes it. I think.
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agreed, deep seated fear that they are too afraid to acknowledge 😦
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The hurt is real and deep. What would it be like for most of us to live without the judgments used to feel powerful at the cost of seeing others as weak?
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you nailed it “see others as weak in order to feel powerful”, such a profound truth
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Kate, you built a raging fire to show us our blindness in how we treat others, as a society in general. May others join in to make others aware of their blindness.
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sincerely appreciate your support in this one Richard … it obviously touches my heart!
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