No Opponent No Obstacle Poem by APPHIA GARCIA

There are people who want to kill our smiling faces,
Stamp us down,
Invade our spaces.
There are people who want to see us fall.
And others, turn a deaf ear to our crying call.
There are people who tell us more than what we can do, what we cannot do
And every time we dream they say: -
'That dream is too good for you.'
But who is the judge?

There are people who like to point out our faults,
Past judgement,
Make their own laws.
There are people who criticize our every move
And others with words of discouragement,
Their tongue they soothe.
There are people who say in not so many words: -
'I am better than you.'
But all we do is remain like a lad
Because we know our judge is God.

There are people who look down on our youth
And think every negative thing they say about us is the gospel truth.
There are people who disputably say: -
'Experience is the greatest teacher.'
But I want to say to those people,
'Jesus Christ is my exemplar.'

There are people who are pregnant with what is hurtful.
They have conceived trouble
And are bound to give birth to falsehood.
For our progress they are any thing but glad
So we keep reminding ourselves.
Why the judge is God?

There are people who come with bright faces,
Grin teeth and even embraces.
But behind your back their words so bitter, so potent.
That's why God has to be the judge
He decides who wins or loses, lives or dies
And not You, my opponent.

There are people who live their lives seeking only negative.
Their thoughts so dirty it seems like hell they visit.
There are people who take time out to make notes,
Yes, in their heart they create a black list.
But who are you?
My opponent?
To me, no opponent exist.

There are people who look upon this confidence as madness
Because the general attitude of those who are not for you
Is one of oppressiveness.
Some people may be ready to fight their 'opponent'
But I say no opponent exist
Because he is a mere distancing voice to the truth that I speak
And to his oppression,
I will not fall weak.


(Inspired by the movie- The Great Debaters.)