You Didn’t Say Anything
This is the first of many blogs that I will share some poetry!
I have always enjoyed writing poetry. But during my 3rd year on my degree at RCS, during the module of Text and Peformance, I really found a love for writing poetry and text and spoken word.
I was recently going through old notebooks from my time at RCS, and I found a first draft of a poem I wrote. And I thought, lets share it here. I also performed this on the night my class was invited to perform at the poetry night at Inn Deep in the West End in Glasgow.
This piece is called “You Didn’t Say Anything” and it is written in response to when racist incidents happen and there is someone who just looks and says nothing. It came from a personal experience of a guy spitting and giving me racist abuse in the underground and a woman sat there and put the magazine up to her face and ignored it. And yes I know everyone has their reasons for not getting involved, but for me it would’ve been a power in numbers. Over the years I have heard from many other People of Colour who have felt this too.
But for now, here it is:
You Didn’t Say Anything
Have you ever wondered about those who don’t say anything?
He came charging at me, but you sat there in silence.
Do you know how scary it is when you feel all alone?
You didn’t say anything.
I take the punches, the pain. I try to ignore it in vain.
In such a small space I am confined. As you walk away leaving me behind.
She ripped off my turban, as I walked to my bus stop.
Do you know how it feels to feel so small.
And you didn’t say anything.
I take the taunts, the jibes. I try to ignore the nasty vibes.
In such a vulnerable place I stand, as you watch not giving a supportive hand.
He spat all over my food, but you gawped at me like it was O-K.
Do you know the strains I feel when I already am not eating much.
And yet you didn’t say anything.
I take the starvation, to feed the younger generation.
In a place where food should not be an issue, I’m deprived of wiping these tears with a tissue.
She told me to fuck off back to a land unknown but your voice stayed silent like the dead ringtone.
Do you understand that I know nowhere else as home?
And you didn’t say anything.
I take the abuse and the short fuse.
But for these words there is no excuse.
As you let them win and watched me lose.
You didn’t say anything.
Why? Why? Why?
You watched me cry, you watched me burn
How can this be any type of fun?
I’m tired of asking for your help.
You obviously must be blind to what I need.
A helping hand, a supportive friend.
Telling me that this is not the end.
But you sat there in silence and enjoyed the view.
As I constantly wished there was an Angel voice that was you!
But sadly, You didn’t say Anything!
