By Joel Challenger
Ask me not who, for I cannot not answer.
Why must silence prevail, then we stand shocked;
Homes ripped apart, who’s responsible? Perplexed by one question.
Who do you blame?
How can a small child tell a shopkeeper,
“The cigarettes are for my parents”
Then feed on the pungent cancer stick, until all fire quits?
Who do you blame?
Slowly, a teen staggers to a rum shop,
Buys another shot for his grandfather,
Then devours the burning substance before he reaches home.
Who do you blame?
Her kid, now shuffles through the streets unclothed,
Begging for coins to get “another fix”.
This school dropout once helped mom sell her “stash” when she wasn’t there.
Who do you blame?
A shy girl lies still, and tries to erase
The permanent stain on her mind; her kin
Robbed her of life, perpetrator known, but society’s mute!
Who do you blame?
Moms ‘eyes swollen shut, his macho fists ache,
The children cower beneath the bed stand.
Their screams silenced by the fear of their role model, their father.
Who do you blame?
The judge’s gavel loudly seals the youth’s fate
He cringes as cuffs around his wrist placed,
Never before corrected. Family now crying; he’s dragged away,.
Who do you blame?
real vybz man! i feelin dat poem! real question who do u blame? dats sum rheal shit! i love it!
good stuff, real good stuff…n exposes our silent society…. keep doing your thing brethren
Great job! some things to think about for sure…
me likey
Simply awesome.
Wow
This is good joel. Poignant message…..let’s keep em coming!
Ps…read more of Joel poems n others on DNO by clickin on the Poetry link at the top of the page.
Dominica is blessed with true talent!
Great stuff Joel…everything affects in everything…kids learn from there surroundings..!! You should Publish!!
True words….hmmmm
hmmm i like. kids learn by example…i wish that most ppl would get that….apparently a ton of em dont
Wow! That is great Joel! Deep meaning and a solid message. Keep it up
hmm…great poem….”who do you blame”….
Great poem…you should write a book :)…This is exactly the sort of things that happens here in D/ca…I hope through this ppl can see the damage caused by their actions. They always targeting the youth but they helped make them the drug addicts n drunks some of them are today.
Nice going, Joel. Have you published? If not, you should. I would buy a volume. Keep it up.
Word!