"the hidden treasre"... a poem

the hidden treasure

in the wheatfield there remains hidden a treasue

and all at once he laid his hands on it,

and then, next thing you know, he sold all he had

and bought that wheatfield to keep the treasure in.

he read a parable about an enemy who sowed a field with weeds,

but he knew this wouldn't happen to his field,

because this field was in such an ideal place.

 

by Ryan Ventriloquist

A Way to Racial Harmony

 

A Way to Racial Harmony

by Ryan Ventriloquist

From the time of the original sin of chattel slavery, there has been so much vehemence and antipathy directed toward people of color that it is more than unsettling; it is disgraceful. Racism can be overcome.

There have been lynchings. There has been segregation. In fact, still, more black men than white men receive the death penalty or life in prison in the United States. And in terms of segregation, low-income urban areas have a much higher concentration of black people than other minorities, or the hegemony, white people, and with this newer form of segregation, there is more pollution in the air--which causes shorter lifespans--and there is more crime, as there are less opportunities available to advance oneself in the direction of prosperity and a great livelihood.

There is overwhelming support for advancing black peoples' lot in life, but there is not enough institutional backing or enough support for overcoming predisposed racist dispositions. What is necessary is that the United States make amends to these two fundamental problems.

The way to overcome them is through more support in the collective consciousness of the American people for overcoming racist mentalities that are often ingrained from a young age. And to use the tools of democracy to bring about a fundamental shift.

People need to talk about racist issues in a sensitive and thoughtful way to understand what is really playing out at an interpersonal level between black people and white people that leads to the miscalculus of racism. People need to listen and heed carefully the testimonies of black people to understand what is really going on between minorities besides black people and black people and the hegemony and black people.

With this greater understanding, white individuals and minorities besides black people need to undergo a shift in their more overt tendencies toward racism and their habits--their subconscious habits of racism--by eliminating the former and by bringing the latter to a cognitive level and subsequently correcting them. These realisations can be brought to the democratic fold through dialogue amongst the citizenry to help improve the overall peace in the air. As people take personal steps to correct their racism misdirection, it is inevitable that racism will remarkably improve and institutions across the country will open up to enabling a level of fairness between all people. And these developments will bring us much further down the path to ending racism.

Mullsay dialogue—

Thank you for reading what I have shared with you here in this publication. I am sincerely grateful for your engagement in this democratic exchange of which I am presiding over. I ask you to take some concerted time to mull over this piece of writing and then to say your thoughts by responding to the following prompts (hence, Mullsay the Zine). And with as much earnestness and yearning, I ask you to read through carefully and consider the thoughts, ideas, affect, desires, concerns, and considerations of the various people who also put forth comments. If you have input you wish to offer that is not related to what I guide you through in prompts, I invite you to share it in the comments section that is located below the prompts. Please keep in mind, in democratic dialogue, it is of essential importance to be respectful and kind, thoughtful and peace-oriented.

What are some ways we can relieve racial injustice?

What are some challenges we face in overcoming racism in the U.S.?

What are some unconscious racist predispositions of which you are aware?

How do you see yourself in the racial fold (i..e. your racial identity, your relationship with people of other races, your relationship with people of your own race) and what sticks out as commendable in it? What are some weaknesses?

How do you expect racial outlooks and orientations will shift in the upcoming decade?

by Ryan Ventriloquist

And I invite you to mull over additional thoughts related to this essay and offer your input in the comments section below.

"swept up"... a poem

 

swept up

swept up in a big anticipation,

the event is not too far off,

so we weave perfect baskets

for the festivities—

to leave gifts in and such,

all kinds of surprises,

long-awaited and expected things,

because we know how much they mean—

that is the way this will go

from all around the globe,

that is the way it comes,

it is a great blessing for everyone.

and that is all truly fact,

and that's that- truly fact.

and while we bask in the sun

in the calm, quiet radiance of the Lord,

aware of only His peace,

we breathe and we breathe,

and i know nothing can get in my way,

because that's the truth He led me to today,

that is the truth, it is His way.

by Ryan Ventriloquist

"bright air"... a poem

 

bright air

i am in a peace of wheatfield,

filled up with the fresh air,

blooming with the leafs of the mustard tree,

rejoicing over everlasting life,

in the faded ruby indigo chair,

sipping tea with both my hands,

the strawberry hues are a great delight,

such a remarkable taste. i celebrate how He has saved me.

there is water you drink and never grow thirsty again,

in the peace of the love of the Lamb.

i am in the peace of cylindrical motion,

as quietly i take the cup.

she told me to just take my blessed time slow.

there is bread you eat and never grow hungry again.

by Ryan Ventriloquist

"Song of Love"... a poem

 

Song of Love

she held me by the hand and took me to the meadow.

we were alive with it, alive with the feeling,

alive with the madness- couldn't take it,

it felt so good, overpowering, an outpouring

that she said was hers and mine. how i enjoy the smell of incense.

and walking in love and humility,

patiently working with a profound sense of urgency.

in the meadow she sat down a blanket,

and asked me where the picnic was.

i took the picnic out of my backpack,

and we toasted to roses and making love.

i knew this is the way it would go,

because the sound of music is in the air

and i am in love with the way of her purr.

by Ryan Ventriloquist

"Looking Over Peloponnese From Monemvasia"... a poem

"Looking Over Peloponnese From Monemvasia"

I am erected in awe and beauty on the edge of a plateau.

The wind riles up my countenance

and blows the waves of the sea my way.

Miles and miles of valleys, plains, fields, hills

stand before me. The sun is at its peak.

Millions and millions trotting forward in acres of grey,

dim-lit by the moon, calling out, "Where to go?" "What to do?"

Atop this fortress of an archipelago

I feel the Spirit come to me and say

"The spectre's in your hand. You are the son of God.

Set them free and bring them bounty." An olive tree by my side glows

and I am in the presence of the Father.

He says, "My son, my beloved, the land is yours.

Make a nation out of it."

by Ryan Ventriloquist