#Poem: Thoughts on Encountering #Dunoon’s ‘#JimCrow’ for the First Time. #blacklivesmatter

Racism should have no place in our society. Othering is a pernicious and vile practice – one which affects communities across Scotland. Gossip, innuendo and rumour all contribute to conduct which results in bullying, discrimination and disempowerment. It may not be full-blown racism, it might be sexism, or homophobia, or sectarianism – whatever it is, we are better than this and the campaign to deal with Dunoon’s ‘Jim Crow Rock’ is proof-positive that change is being demanded.

Thoughts on Encountering Dunoon’s ‘Jim Crow’ for the First Time

At first it seems it is Crow,
That sharp-faced Corvid –
Yellow-eyed, black-billed,
Black-footed and Wing-tipped
In iridescent black-blue –
Perhaps hooded in sombre
Grey – seen against a scudding
Winter sky - a darkling flag
Tumbling low over the waves to-
Ward a deep copse roost.

But no –
This ‘crow’ is anchored
Upon the foreshore, stilted
Mid-step, painted by the
Unkind brush of local
Tradition, shaping an Other
With a vile cartoon graffito
Of red lips and white tooth
Strip – it is an indecent dis-
Memberment of that
Which we all share.

Take a #Knee: a #poem in response to the #death of #georgefloyd because #blacklivesmatter after centuries of #othering

It only takes a knee to comfort a child,
To receive a knighthood,
To listen to a god - to be inspired;

Just a knee for grouting around tiles,
To ask a girl if she will,
To loosen bolts and change tyres;

Perhaps two for French cricket,
To warm a lamb as its fed,
To chase mice, all smooth and sleekit.

It only takes a knee placed very precisely
To stop a man’s breath,
To fully express centuries of othering.
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