"Break Your Gaze And Step Forward" a Poem by Dalton Johnson
BREAK YOUR GAZE AND STEP FORWARD
Unable to redirect my gaze
from the violent hatred,
I watch from afar, while my brow firms and jaw clinches.
I am losing control.
Standing there among a field of red roses touched with powdery, white snow,
It happens in front of me time, and time, again.
My heart feels heavy,
Unable to breath, my blood turns red to black
As the freshly picked rose impales the clinching fist of oppression.
Trying to fight back with every thorn of defiance, but it’s of no use for
The green stem drips with blood from the Oppressive palm
Suffocating the metaphorical bush of life with
Blood that dries, black, as the moonless night.
Void of green, Void of red, Void of white.
There is only room for darkness, blocking
the green stem of life,
the red petals of love,
the white, powdery snow of innocence.
With each injustice, my heart continues turning black unless I control my feet, take a breath, break my gaze, and
Start taking steps forward.
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Get your signed copy of 51 Poems For Humankind To Think About. Dalton Johnson's first book of poetry. These 51 poems are his critique of American hustle culture told from the perspective of a young man returning to the world after years of living off the grid on less than $500 a month.
These poems capture the internal battle of consumerism, American greed, humans loss of connection with the natural world, and pokes fun at some of the absurd cultural norms of adulting. Each poem touches on different parts of American's superficial society in hopes of promoting the change from group thought to individuality. For it is at the individual level Johnson belives you unlock your true self.
As you read these poems take some time to think about what stirs inside of yourself to find where you can change and grow into the human you want to be today and tomorrow.
Please Note: Signed paperback will be shipping the middle of April, 2025 and should arrive by the end of April