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Lavender
Lavender
Aug 10, 2022 ⭐ View statistics (Premium feature)

Show Me the View From the Back of the Bus

Show me the view from the back of the bus.
Educate me. Open my eyes.
Point out where colors are sorted, like laundry,
then divided into separate rows -
the blacks, the whites, the browns, the tans.
Show me which space money buys -
the extra leg-room, the lean-back seats.
Show me the view.
I pray it's not like looking in the mirror.

Instruct me as to where gender
is established and seated -
where love is only conditional and exclusive.
Which seats are occupied by only those who seem alike?
Where do the crosses sit,
the menorahs, the stars and crescent moons?
The lotus flowers?
Show me the view from the back of the bus.

Certainly the left is seated far, far left,
and the right is seated far, far right
so that there is a vast space of ignorance in between.
Point out where the elderly are placed,
the ill, the challenged, the lonely.
Show me the view.
I pray it's not like looking in the mirror.
***

About This Poem

Style/Type: Free verse

Review Request Intensity: I appreciate moderate constructive criticism

Editing Stage: Editing - rough draft

About the Author

Country/Region: United States

Favorite Poets: I tend to read Ted Kooser, Jim Harrison, Billy Collins, Paul Simon, Robert Frost. I like minimalist poetry, and poems reflecting on nature and Mother Earth.

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More from this author

Comments

Geezer

Geezer

2 years 11 months ago

I think that you...

have nailed this one firmly to the cross! I would have used the refrain of "I pray it's not like looking in the mirror." on the end of the middle verse too! Other than that; a good solid poem! Nice job. ~ Geez.
.

Lavender

Lavender

2 years 11 months ago

Hi, Geezer,

Like many people, I am from a warm, diverse family. But I get discouraged with the endless excuses society uses to divide people. Thank you for reading! Your opinions and comments mean a lot to me!
L

lovedly

lovedly

2 years 11 months ago

yes

Geez has an eagle's eye
I agree too

Jackweb

Jackweb

2 years 11 months ago

Hello esteemed poet!

To say that all the lines were completely masterly and wonderfully powerful and expressive.

Your poetry is scarlet cloth in a very fine weave.
.

Lavender

Lavender

2 years 11 months ago

Hello, Jackweb,

Some poetry seems to write itself. I am so glad you stopped by!
Thank you!
L

Rosewood Apothecary

Rosewood Apothecary

2 years 11 months ago

Damn!

The stream is fire today! You guys are bringing to back to life today. I’m feeling down but I keep hope close and when I come here and read my fellow poets that hope is kindled knowing I’m not so damn alone. Commendations on something really special here.

Tim

Lavender

Lavender

2 years 11 months ago

Hello, Tim,

I agree...when I am feeling down or alone, either music or poetry revives my hope and energy. I wrote this piece a few months ago after feeling discouraged about all the many, many different ways we create to divide ourselves from one another. I took a "self-inventory" and this is what appeared. I appreciate your reading it and sharing your thoughts.
Thank you!
L

Geezer

Geezer

2 years 11 months ago

This is more...

than just a poetry site! This is why we call ourselves "Our Family of Poets". We believe that singly we are only a part of the human race; that together, we ARE the human race. This is why I am so proud to be a part of Neo. and hope that you are too.
~ Geezer.
.

Ray Whitaker

Ray Whitaker

2 years 11 months ago

Racism in any form

Just sucks. I am not an idealist, i like to think I an not only a astute observer of physical reality, also i include a form of a far-reaching vision. Racism drops us back to a certain place of hatred, and distrust on stony ground. Hard to do anything close to intellectually enlightened from that spot, unless you are someone like Ghandi or Martin Luther King.

Thanks for your piece…. Thought provoking, well written! Bravo!

Lavender

Lavender

2 years 11 months ago

Hello, Ray,

I love your "far-reaching vision" reference! That is what it takes to remain hopeful!
Thank you for reading!
L

Lavender

Lavender

2 years 11 months ago

Hi, Lovedly,

Sure appreciate your reading and commenting. Sometimes I'm not clear with your messages, so I'd like a little more explanation, please. May I ask what did you mean by "they showed me a prompt and it said SHE IS SELLING LAVEN." Certainly don't want to interpret incorrectly.
Thank you, Lovedly.
L

lovedly

lovedly

2 years 11 months ago

on another site

Contests are many more thousands
they show PROMPTS AND ASK poets to compose a poem
I just remembered your name
that's all to it Lav
If you want ...I will score off my comments just let me know
as and when you don't follow
thanks