Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 18 February 1999 — Page 12

POETRY

Clarence E

Motley and

friends

WTO 3s

FEAR Fear, please don’t scare love away Many times I’m unsure of what to do or say Love is a gamble in which our emotions are at . stake None of us know how much we can really take Fear, please don’t scare love away Many times I’m unsure of what to do or say Am I doing this right, did I do something wrong Do you love me or tolerate me, if so how long Fear, please don’t scare love away Many times I’m unsure of what to do or say I love you, but is that enough Let me know before times get rough Fear, please don’t scare love away Many times I’m unsure of what to do or say Well to trust and have confidence, both I have in you To worry myself sick with fear is something I refuse to do Fear please don’t scare love away! Clarence E. Motley

IF AND THEN If we can continue to give when there is no reason Maintain communications in-and-out of season Learn to give when we want Knock down barriers and be up-front If we can learn to read feelings instead of minds And remember to be trusting and unwind Do what’s neccessary.. .then what’s required This relationship based on “love” can move much higher Clarence E. Motley VALENTINE LOVE I bring you these Roses, As a true token of my love and affection. Letting you know from my heart you’re the only one for me without question. •/ • I bring to you these Chocolates, In a box shaped like my heart. In hopes that each one you par take of, will bring back the sweet memories of our loves first start.... C. E. D.

TRUE LOVE Are you loyal? Can you be kind? Do you let others explore your mind.... Are you loving? Can you be true? Or are these words we just chose to use.... These answers are in your heart, not your mind. For today true love is something hard to find C.E.D. BLACK HISTORY It’s understood that we need to know more But the entrance to black history was never an open door Lost.. .borrowed.. .or stolen All we get now.. .is a token And we have to formulate pride from that Let’s not let the lack of knowledge be a trap For we can’t be content with what we’re spoon fed And happy.. .just being led Because we must seek knowledge for it is the key For only then will we understand our place in history

FANS? Malcolm and Martin’s blood is on our hand Even though, we profess to be their fans When we steal, rob, rape, and shoot Murder, get high, kidnap, and loot Not only others, but our own kind Especially, when we refuse to expand our minds For “The Dream” and the message will have little effect If we do nothing to hold on to our self-respect You may not like it, but you’ll have to save yourself For that responsibility will be shouldered by no one else Then talk to each other to come up with the proper solutions For if we do, a more unified people will be the conclusion We, men and women of color, must re-educate ourselves And quit pointing the finger and blaming someone else Until then, Malcom and Martin’s blood will be one our hands Even though, we profess to be their fans. Clarence E. Motley

Clarence E. Motley