Racists Poem by Herbert Nehrlich

Racists

Rating: 5.0


He'd known it wouldn't be
a picnic with a vintage red,
they'd likely stone the girl
with hatred burning cruel eyes.
Yes, this was Africa, the land
of all the creatures Noah saved,
of open space and sudden death
within the jungle and on open plains,
life did renew itself, eternally, a spring
of nectar, red as blood, and bright
reflecting crystals of hot sand
and gushing with the sound of streams
that never would survive the season.

He'd picked a gaunt and mostly dead
tree called the Jackalberry, home at times
to hungry vultures of indifferent persuasion,
they would be safe from lions and the like.

He hurried on, swinging his satchel
which contained the scones and dates
and one small bottle of Shiraz, a dry
and spicy Joostenberg, twothousandfour.

He spotted her, a flowery dress, a flag
of sweet surrender, perhaps it was.
There was a bloody-mouthed hyena,
eating the last few bits of flesh, and bones,
and only then he saw the birds of death,
all set to pounce, with hurried elegance.
It was the lions that had beaten racial hate.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Joseph Daly 27 June 2006

What on earth is going on Herbert? This is outstanding. The flow of it is brilliant. The humanity that it contains is so warm. You have taken a word (slander, insult, description.) and provided it with a new meaning, or should that be 'usage'. Race is given a human face here but in a context that is not ugly or anthropological. You use the term to define us. The narrative seems to veer away from how we are categorised and shows us that it is all an irrelevance. This is great Herbert.

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Gina Onyemaechi 27 June 2006

Love the vivid but partially veiled images of violence here - sparks the imagination into action. Other than this, I'll confess to not fully understanding the picture here. But I've still enjoyed the poem on the power of the language. G.

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***** ********* 27 June 2006

You say so much about the true face of racism in this almost biblical story poem Herbert. Great imagery, leaving a stark and vivid impression. I enjoyed the tone of the whole poem too. Smiling at you, Tai

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Herbert Nehrlich1 27 June 2006

Thanks, both of you, for the kind words. Best H

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Mary Nagy 04 July 2006

Wow. At first I was just enjoying the beautifully lush picture you painted of this place.......enjoying the sounds and feel of this poem. (great images!) The idea of racism was far from my mind until the later part. You sorta slapped the reader in the face with it. Wonderful work Herbert! (Of course, I expect nothing less from you.) :) Sincerely, Mary

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Mahnaz Zardoust-Ahari 30 June 2006

I agree totally with everything said here. You have given a totally different look at racism. You did it wonderfully as always my friend. :)

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Jerry Hughes 27 June 2006

Mein F, agee wholeheartedly with the comments. Out-bloody-standing. Heil!

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Alison Cassidy 27 June 2006

Herbert, This is your best yet! ! Mind you, I haven't read all of the - how many? It is clear and accessible and filled with soul. And the last stanza breaks the heart. Beautiful writing. love, Allie

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Scarlett Treat 27 June 2006

It is apparent that the lions don't care what color our skin is! Well written, powerful, and insightful.

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