Poems by Gene A. Barclay

Poison running all through my veins, every shirt has a blood stain. Momma shaking her head, it’s a damn shame. I didn’t care—I had a habit to maintain. I got tracks but I ain’t no train. Riding that horse like I was John Wayne. Hold up, here comes the drain— taste so sweet, like a sugarcane. OH! I felt my heart strain, like ice-cold water shot straight to the brain. Like a wild animal, I couldn’t be tamed. Scrape that bag—get every grain. Look in my eyes. Can’t you see the pain? Everything to lose. Nothing to gain. Slow down, get out of the fast lane. Brothers and sisters, it’s time for a change. As a matter of fact, this shit feels strange. My sobriety I must sustain. I need it like a flower needs rain. Look at the big picture—not at my frame. Hang my poems in the Hall of Fame so people everywhere will know my name.

Gene A. Barclay

I never noticed your pretty face. I never noticed your warm embrace. I never noticed your eyes were brown. I never noticed I was bringing you down. I never noticed you reached out your hand. I was too busy trying to be the man. I never noticed your gentle touch. I never noticed you meant so much. I never noticed how beautiful you are. I didn’t realize I was leaving a scar. I never noticed I was breaking your heart. I never noticed we were coming apart. I never noticed the kids wanted to play. I never listened to a word you had to say. I never noticed the tears in your eyes. I never noticed I was killing you inside. I never noticed the softness of your skin. I never noticed we were coming to an end. I never noticed you packed your bags. I never noticed when you started to cry. I never even heard when you said goodbye. Then I noticed I wasn’t fair, being selfish, I didn’t share. Lost in addiction, I didn’t care. Then I noticed, you weren’t there!

Gene A. Barclay

I felt my temperature rise with bloodshot eyes as I reached for my 9, I heard a baby cry. I saw its father die, tears in its mother’s eyes before she could scream out, Why!? Blood stains covered the cold concrete. Two dead bodies lie in the street. My heart went out—I wanted to weep. But that don’t go with the code of the street. Murder and drugs on an all-time high, two more souls sailed through the sky. I searched my mind for a reason why. Then I remembered I heard that baby cry. Gunshots rang all through the night. Tension and fear sharpened my sight. Somehow I gotta make it through this fight. Stabbing, raping, robberies are the norm. There is no calm before the storm. The stench of death so thick you can feel it in the air. Who the hell said life was fair? Bloodshed, and another brother dead. Sister-girl jumping bed to bed. A child with nothing to eat eats lead instead. An angry mob filled the street, my chest thumped so hard you could see my heartbeat. Run toward the light—light is always good. The door slammed—I’m trapped in the Hood. Gunshots started to ring—the heat hit my flesh. I started to scream, then I heard the fat lady sing. I woke up, but it wasn’t a dream.

Gene A. Barclay

Looking out at the many colored faces, ethnic backgrounds, and different races— thinking of all the lives that were wasted, remembering the time of segregation. Fighting for everything we were taught, deals were made and souls were bought. Bloodshed, treachery, a deadly fight. Many have died for our civil rights. Martin, a man who had a dream. Boosted morals and self-esteem. Ready to die for what he believed and wouldn’t back down until it was achieved. Preaching the gospel and shedding tears, overcoming obstacles and fears. On a mission from God—a mission of peace, hoping and praying racism would cease. Another rose preaching from a different text. He called himself Malcolm X. He too was on a mission from God, but he gave it to you rough, raw, and hard. By any means necessary is what he would say. He still lives in our hearts and minds today. Can’t we stand side by side and unite? The war is over. There’s no need to fight. Put aside our differences and let’s begin to look at the heart, not the color of skin.

Gene A. Barclay