Original Poetry Works Charlea Smith | Year 11 These original poems by Charlea Smith explore ideas around identity, race and connection to place.
Black Person
Writings on the wall
Man-made horrors
Listen to me when I speak, I am a black person with a tongue, I choose how I use it, I use it not to lash at you, But to help you see things, All from my point of view,
Simple writings, On the wall, Take the paint, Scratch the rock, Ancient writings, On the wall, Spray the paint, Etch the cement, Read it all, All writings, On the wall.
Sitting in the grass, Waiting for nature to eat me, Take me back to before, All things were man-made.
Do not dismiss me, I am a black person with a brain, I think and therefore I am, Do not leave my thoughts, At the doorstep where they don’t belong, Believe in me and listen to me, Please don’t ignore me, I am a black person with a heart, I am human like you and your family, Please do not brush me off, Not when I cry nor when I smile, I am like you, Please don’t shun me, I am a black person who has bled, I will not be hurt for your fun, I am me and you should know, That I love you for you too.
The Broken Me I need someone to hold my hand, Walk me through my life, Help me through all that chains, Me to my oppression and past, Take my hand and drag me through, The trauma and lives I’ve lived, I am me, But I am broken.
ABCDEFGHI Take a glance at me, I only see what labels I, A B C, aborigine, Black, culture, D E F, definitely, Eccentric, foolish, G H I, gay, Hellishly irate.
Dysart A clock on the wall ticks by as dogs bark, The town is silent otherwise, It’s early morning as workers leave, And small children just awake.
Tired Days in a City Being tired in door, Getting tired of indoors, There’s nothing outside, Of these wooden doors.
30/Mulu Maguydan
