Stranger

By AG

Would you mind if I stood next to you – a stranger on the street?
Even though my life so far has not been nice and neat?
Society says I’m less than you
Because I have a past
And treats me like the dark and evil villain of the past

Would you mind I sat next to you – a stranger on a bus?
Could you look past the differences that frame the both of us?
Though scars and tats may seem to make me less upright than you
To judge me from my cover is an
Unfair point of view

Would you mind if I lived next to you – a stranger in your town?
When you find out about my felony, will you let me live it down?
Your neighbors turn their eyes away
As if it wasn’t clear
That because of my past mistake
They don’t want me here

Would you mind if I worked next to you – a stranger earning his way?
This job is all I’ve found so far to
Make some decent pay
They shut me down in interviews
As if I wasn’t fit
To do much more than mow a lawn or shovel piles of s**t

Would you mind if I joined you as part of your society?
An ex-con forced outside it with this stigma forced on me?
I’ve done my time
I’ve paid my dues
There’s no inherent danger
In treating me like one of you and not me

A stranger

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13 Comments

  1. Patrick on February 19, 2020 at 6:19 PM

    AG,

    This poem is extremely well written and makes me really think about my life. It is such a same that people in society are looked down upon because of their past. This truly is a travesty and it is something that needs to be corrected immediately. Thank you for sharing this amazing poem and keep writing. -Pat

  2. Gianna Torres on March 25, 2020 at 7:43 PM

    AG, Your poem spoke very deeply to me. In society, there is always this idea that people are so different based on race, gender, religion generally physicality or whatever you may call it. But in reality, as I got from your poem, we are all equals. Everyone feels pain and love and internal and external struggle and we forget that sometimes we are all going through the same things. I think we judge each other too quickly and miss out on great things because of it. You have powerful words that I wish the whole world could hear and really understand. Thank you for letting me read this. You aren’t a stranger to me. -Gianna

  3. Barbara Moffet on March 26, 2020 at 1:37 PM

    This poet has a real gift with words! And the thoughts expressed are so important to consider. I hope he or she will continue to write and to find some true acceptance by those he meets.

  4. Haley on April 1, 2020 at 4:30 PM

    This poem really puts the stereotypes we put on people into perspective. The way we judge others for their past, even when they have redeemed themself. They way we wouldn’t think twice about someone until we find out that they have made mistakes in their life and suddenly they are beneath us. It’s a great call to action to make us think about the way we judge others.

  5. Kayelynn on April 13, 2020 at 5:21 PM

    AG,

    You don’t hesitate to challenge injustices or unfair perceptions and I love this poem for that. A poor decision does not earn society the right to judge a person endlessly, especially when said person is trying to make better choices. Your writing is candid and sincere, thank you for sharing your observations on the world with others. This poem is also pushing me to reflect on my own preconceived notions that I let influence me at times, thank you for encouraging that kind of introspection in your writing. Great job!

  6. Megan on April 22, 2020 at 6:29 PM

    Your poem is open an honest in the way it is a slap to the face. It forces everyone who reads it, including myself, to take a look into their own subconscious and prejudice and ask themselves why they feel that way. There is no justification and your words show that in such a beautiful way that I feel is impossible to ignore. People and society are so quick to judge others when we don’t have all the pieces to the puzzle and then demand understanding from others. Thank you for your words and I hope you continue to write.
    -Megan

  7. Megan Lucas on April 22, 2020 at 6:35 PM

    Your poem is open an honest in the way it is a slap to the face. It forces everyone who reads it, including myself, to take a look into their own subconscious and prejudice and ask themselves why they feel that way. There is no justification and your words show that in such a beautiful way that I feel is impossible to ignore. People and society are so quick to judge others when we don’t have all the pieces to the puzzle and then demand understanding from others. Thank you for your words and I hope you continue to write.
    -Megan

  8. Michelle on April 23, 2020 at 2:45 PM

    AG-your poem spoke to me because the depth you give to us as people. Your words challenge me to look inside myself and have to answer all the questions you put on paper. You paint a beautiful picture of how we can be divided as a society based on gender, race, past actions, religion, etc. When I read your words it gave me insight to take those things away and REALLY see people for what they can offer me…which is love, compassion, empathy. I thought your express was real and it was really profound for me to read it. Thank you for sharing your words.

  9. Chelsey on April 23, 2020 at 6:23 PM

    Great poem about the negative stigma towards felons. The world needs to learn how to forgive and be welcoming to everyone. I love how you keep repeating questions. Its a great way to get your point across and emphasize that we are all human! We do not know each others stories. Thank you for the poem!

  10. Donovan on April 24, 2020 at 8:33 AM

    AG this poem is actually my favorite one that I have read so far. Society has been conditioned to treat those with a criminal history as being less than the rest of society. Everyone does things they’re not proud of but that shouldn’t haunt them and define their place in society.Donovan

  11. kassidilenae on June 11, 2020 at 12:08 AM

    AG,

    This poem is beautiful. Your poetic style and your message is mature and genuine. It saddens me that society struggles to look past differences and defines us by our past mistakes. You are more than this. Your words are powerful. Use your talents to continue to speak out on injustice.

    Keep writing!

  12. MM on October 19, 2020 at 6:29 PM

    I loved the symmetry in this poem. The way you organized the wording really spoke to me. There is a high prevalence of sigma in society when you don’t fit the “norm”. I hope you find your peace somewhere in society, one where you can be truly accepted regardless of the label society gives you. You are more than just the sum of your parts that cannot be seen by others. I believe that everyone deserves second chances regardless of their past, so I hope you are able to find yours.

  13. JM on November 11, 2020 at 2:42 PM

    Dear AG,

    Thank you for sharing this well written poem. I really liked that you began each stanza with such gentle requests to be considered by the reader. It demonstrates the humanity and equality of ex-convicts in such a powerful way. My favorite stanza in this poem was:

    “Would you mind I sat next to you – a stranger on a bus?
    Could you look past the differences that frame the both of us?
    Though scars and tats may seem to make me less upright than you
    To judge me from my cover is an
    Unfair point of view”

    First of all, the rhyming you pulled off here was brilliant– but I also really liked the phrasing of “differences that frame both of us?” Your use of the word frame reminds me that these things that we use to pre-judge one another are just that– frames that are superficial containers that aren’t necessarily a part of the artwork or picture inside the frame. I also liked that you used the word “cover” to describe scars and tattoos– it reminded me of the idea of being an undercover agent, which is a useful way to think about people’s appearances as not defining who they are.

    Thanks for sharing and writing this beautiful poem– I hope you continue to write & share.

    Best,
    JM

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