I had a conversation at lunch today that made me decide to post some old poems.

Judge me not by the tarnished name.
or it’s troubled history.
I repudiate the sins against humanity
done in the name of Christianity
I had no part in them.
View me not as a white, middle class hypocrite,
They hate me too.
Whitewashed tombs and vipers dens,
They have become petty, hateful and legalistic.
Toning down the radical,
trying to make safe something that is dangerous.
Stuck in their comfortable cozy boxes
that they have tried to force me in.
They wonder what is wrong.
Praying and begging.
Trying to justify their actions,
They limit and rationalize.
Trying to explain what they blindly cannot understand.
Living in denial
Clinging to their narrow mind set,
Perpetuating a downward spiral.
It will all be made right.
Surely, I am coming soon.

flee away to place of hate
attempt to hide the soul of black
tortured thoughts breed mental rape
beating heart pounds as guilt attacks

mental actions by name of john
stem from passion, hidden lain
repression damning in time beyond
human condition, causing common pain

dancing girl of profession old
crop of skin grows, diseased desires
leaves empty alone emotionally cold
exposed to pain and burning fire

worlds on destruction bent
riding failure down slippery slope
failing to find salvation sent
where’s the ray providing hope

lonely worlds in vast sea unfold
common ground in experience odd
answer to hurts and questions hold
ravished by tears, i am …