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Anguish of a poem

That night, when words were whispering
and the room was quiet and stark,
the thought in fearless beguile
mounted the empty page

Like muses from the ages
it clasped the trembling hand
and in a fondled embrace
penned the painted picture down

Courage sprung from shadows,
from pictures old as time
and in that blessed time span
many a poem was born

Oh! I enthuse - my existence,
resembles not an illusion,
nor a sheer waste of ink,
but rather a portrait
or a spirited work of art!

I am….yes, I am African
I should be ignored
I know….yes, I know
Was I Caucasian,
I would have been adored!
— nokros, Feb 14, 2009

About This Poem

About the Author

Region, Country: Northern Cape, South Africa

Favorite Poets: Phillis Wheatley

More from this author

Critiques

themoonman

themoonman

17 years 3 months ago

Nokros...

At first I thought this was about the we-all-get-em writer's cramp... but then your last two stanzas floored me and it all fell together... I've now read it three times and liked it more each time... the build up, the painted picture.. wonderfully versed... I just wish poetry like this wasn't still needed in this day and time. Sad to know that mankind hasn't yet embraced all men as being the equals they are. Your strong voice is heard here and as far as I know, among poets, color isn't an issue... at least that has been my observance... well worded piece of Art... should be written under a magnificent painting... Richard
nokros

nokros

17 years 3 months ago

themoonman

i cease to feel ratted any longer. i regret it had to come to this. Sir, i salute you for being exemplary. i salute you for your honesty and i salute you for being a man.
theladyblue

theladyblue

17 years 3 months ago

simply beautiful...

it rolls of the tongue like pure wisdom...sadly this wisdom comes yet how beautifully you have conqured it... forever your fan, <3 Emarie @~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~@ 'My prayer is a rapture in blue' - The Ink Spots 'My Prayer' 1939
nokros

nokros

17 years 3 months ago

Emarie

i feel honoured and humbled by your beautiful comment.
B

barbsdad2003

17 years 3 months ago

Oh the pain ...

and resultant anger. So well justified. So well earned. It's been too long. Given enough time (hopefully fewer than eons!), there'll be such a genetic mix, it'll be hard to distinguish Caucasian from a number of Othersians. Perhaps by then at least some of this stupid (yes, stupid!) racial stuff will die from irrelevancy. And please don't misread me here. I'm not blasting your feelings about the present state of affirs. I am blasting the present state of affairs regarding our faulty distinguishment of race. Kudos from this corner. Glad you're here. And thanx, Chuck
nokros

nokros

17 years 3 months ago

Chuck

again i feel so deeply humbled. i can only dream of a day... i will cherish your noble words forever in my heart. yours nokros
Tonya

Tonya

17 years 2 months ago

Please, come a time no mans

Please, come a time no mans ignored for soley their thought and acts adored what is color? a mix of vibrant hues refracted through light Each special, each bright, each magnificent without the spice of variation, this earth would be a dull and gloomy place I know you have much to tell, both good and bad. I can see your celebration of life and love of nature in what i have read that you have written. Let no man.. NO MAN place boundaries on your imagination. .....no thought is wasted ink, unless....is to the detriment of another human being. ah...great writing from you once again! Always Sincere, Tonya
nokros

nokros

17 years 2 months ago

Tonya

i'm glad i didn't miss out on your comments, Tonya. thanx for the blissful words. will take heed.
faerybeki

faerybeki

17 years 2 months ago

Who could ignore such a

Who could ignore such a powerful piece? I can't, had to comment! Only read 2 of your poems thus far and am yet again blown away, there really is some wonderful work here on Neopoet, and yours ranks right up there! much love b x
nokros

nokros

17 years 2 months ago

faerybeki

sorry i picked you up so late, faerybeki. appreciate your kind words. thanx. yours nokros