Still Obsolete

This poem was inspired by Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" and describes how I feel at times as a black man in this society. It's the third in series of "Obsolete" poems.

We went from the Invisible Man

To just plain obsolete

Preserving for years

Through struggles and amazing feats

Ralph Ellison said it best

We’re not different from the rest

We’re not a freak of nature

Nor of history

I can’t understand… the mystery

It puzzles me

What do you actually see?

When we scream out loud

Our way of being proud

Like a Muhammed Ali bout

The men inside, trying to get out

You call it brashness

And think it's arrogance

In essence, it’s reminiscent

Of a life long quest

Living in a country

Where just being invisible

Is suppose to be our best

From two-thirds existence

To a third in-the-home presence

Where are we?

The dichotomy within democracy

It’s really just hypocrisy

I resist just being obsolete

Now when you look at me

Do you understand what you really see?

Reviews

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I'm glad I've read 10 poems on 1/17/11 and from brother to brother: you are a
excellant educator and I enjoy your art and writer's WEBSITE//love Brian

[Tonya]

Wow! What powerful tone! The voice of the writer is so strong that he is bond to no longer be considered "obsolete" The intensity drives the profound meaning in this piece. I really liked this. Where are the other two in the series? I would love to read them.

[Wildfleour]

I think I do, but I can only try to walk in your shoes the best I can. One thing I can promise you is that the color of a person's skin means nothing to me.


Great poem, Bill.