I Am Not a Thug

I Am Not a Thug

 

 

I am not a thug

It’s a shame

If that’s what you see

When you look at me

I’m not a gangster

Or a rapper

I’m not the images

Plastered all over T.V.

I’m respectful to women

I was taught this

By my mother

I’m willing to fight

If the cause is right

But mostly I’m a lover

…A good book

Despite

If you like

It’s cover

Compassionate

Thoughtful

And considerate

Of others

I’m not lazy

I'm not a thief

I'm not a criminal

Who runs the streets

I work at least

 60 hrs. per week

And don’t be surprised

When you realize

I’m very articulate

 When I speak

I’d rather read a book

Than shoot hoops

On a basketball court

Music is my passion

And I write poetry for sport

Love is my drug

And I put it

Into everything I do

It’s pure

Strong

And addictive too

I bet you won’t see that

On the news!

I am not a thug

So please don’t assume

You could be missing out

On a good friend

Don't let your preconceptions

Resume

Don’t keep your mind closed
Open up

…Make room

I'm not a thug

I am a MAN

Try to get to know me

Then you'll find out

Who I Am

 

 

Reviews

[Samuel Jack]

Very true, I did say you had a hip hop flavour to some if your pieces when I first came on the site, but to be honest I still stand by that on some of your poems. But you have such a large collection that they all have different styles to them, I'm still working my way through them. Of course this concept goes both ways, and it is difficult for me to connect with a lot of black guys until they know I either , listen to hip hop ( not UK though, it's f*****g awful) or have a mixed race girlfriend (which sometimes makes the situation worse!) of course what wins anyone over is being yourself, I don't know if you have a slang word In America for white guys who try and talk and walk like black guys, we call them chavs in England. That to me is an insult to black people, and a kind of weakness, putting on a constant act, ridiculous! But I do apologise for doing EXACTLY what you say I this Poem HAHA!! Not many would admit to it. But I'm a poet, a different breed of fucked up. PEACE! ;)

[Sirius King]

i agree, every race and nationality have stereotypes placed on them...it's up to the individual person to be who they are, not a color or a creed...human.

there is a word, its "wigger"...which is also offensive lol...but what the hey

[Sheila Kline]

I am so glad I have been given the opportunity to know you by reading your poetry, and listening to your singing, and other artists who you support as singers. You certainly are not a thug!! We need to hear more good about people, and not just the bad in the news!
Thanks for sharing!!

[Sirius King]

Thank you Sheila K! That really means a lot to me:-)

[quinfinn]

you dont need to convince me , Serenus, but i love your expression of this common misconception. wonderful and necessary write. we could all learn from not judging people and allowing them to be.....

[Sirius King]

i agree!... thanx quin

[quinfinn]

thank you for a great poem

[Baby Ricochet]

Nice sentiment Mr Raymone

[Sirius King]

thanx man

[Frieda P]

This is a great social commentary within a poem, I love poetry with a message. Don't judge the book by it's cover, so poignant and in your face, yet people still do. We're bombarded with so many images now, and people are dazed without giving it much thought or seeing the heart of a real person. Kudos!

[Sirius King]

thanx...i try to get a message out there now n then lol

[Frieda P]

Good job on this one...looking forward to the next one as well. ;-)

[SydneyLK]

I really liked this.
It had a good rhythm to it and I think it addresses a very important issue, the issue of social preconceptions. Many are happy to slip into social cliques, 'the hipster', 'the gangster', etc... But you challenge this and I wish more people would do that, maybe we would have more individuality in the world today instead of endless clones.
"I'm not the images plastered all over T.V." is one of my favorite lines in this work, very direct and to the point.

[Sirius King]

thanx man