Asset



I had been offended many years ago.
When then I was told,
My efforts to endeavor...
In a field to achieve any success to believe.
Was because of my ethnicity.
And the fact I am black.
Noticeably from head to toe.

Then one day it occurred to me,
The only reason...
My color of skin was brought to my attention,
Had been because of my contributions.
To add and not subtract,
A quality beyond mediocrity.
And being black I should regard an asset.
Since too many use that,
As an excuse to produce a better product.

Yet will claim what they do,
Should be accepted for what it is.
When clearly their minds,
Are limited to B.S.
With this to perceive themselves,
Capable to compete and more qualified...
Than others who have lived,
Their entire lives subjected to ridicule.
For who they are to despise their abilities!

'Could that be the reason why,
Division, conflicts and racism is on the rise?'

'Hmmm...
I had not thought about that.
However...
I know my ability to be innovative.
Fashionably unique.
Musically inclined.
And rhythmically athletic on my feet.
With a knowing God has blessed me,
To recognize the ignorance of others...
Is not my defeat.
Who knows what makes people crazed.
Especially the ones,
Going out of their way to make it known...
Reality to prioritize it,
Is nowhere near their top ten lists!'

'Well...
There is one thing they are making known,
To be shown as if glad and proud of it.'

'What?'

'Madness is their asset.
And proud to celebrate,
From one year to the next!'

'Why can't you be positive?
About...
Something!'

'I am.
I'm always positively cynical and sarcastic.
With attempts to describe,
Exactly what I observe...
From a black man's point of view.'

'Why can't you just say,
From an American's point of view?'

'And start an argument with everybody?
About loyalty, heritage, ethnic identity...
Loss of consciousness and deluded by TV?
Do you know how long it has taken me,
To look unaware and stupid?
That was the first task I learned to achieve!
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Submitted by lpahtillah on June 20, 2021

Modified on April 26, 2023

1:46 min read
19

Quick analysis:

Scheme AXBCDXA DEEFXDGHX IXXFXXXXX XX JHBKXXLDXLXFMNX XMN GXX KXX JXXXI XI DDDDXC
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 1,908
Words 357
Stanzas 11
Stanza Lengths 7, 9, 9, 2, 15, 3, 3, 3, 5, 2, 6

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    "Asset" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/103159/asset>.

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