Poems

Actors on a stage

We are all actors on a stage.

Working for a reasonable wage.

Playing a role in the show called life.

Are you the star of the show?

Are you the leading act?

Are you the villain?

Are you the victim?

Are you an extra?

Are you the super hero?

What role are you playing in the show called life?

Are you the protagonist?

Are you the antagonist?

Are you the narrator?

Are you the singer?

Are you the dancer?

Are you the poet?

Are you playing a supporting role?

What role are you playing in the show called life?

You are created for a purpose.

You were created to play your part.

What role are you playing in the show called life?

God created you for a purpose.

You were created to play your part.

Are you playing that role with might and with vision in sight?

What role are you playing in the show called life?

Make it count.

Live it with purpose.

The life that you live goes far beyond the screen.

The life that you live goes far beyond the camera and a phone.

The life that you live goes way beyond Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube.

The life that you live goes far beyond the watchful eyes of the passersby.

What role are you playing in the show called life?

– Erika Heslop Martin

-------

My Name Is Stop!

My name is Stop!

Do not harass me

I’m here to work

Not to start a family

I’m bombarded with suggestive gestures

Unwelcome requests and sexual innuendos

These forms of harassment

Are not fit for any environment

You are violating my rights

To security, and to privacy

Because everywhere I turn

You are following me

The pressure of being under your supervision

Is just too much to mention

There is also victimization

Having thwarted my promotion

I know my worth

Etched in my DNA since birth

So, I guard well my integrity

Refusing to trade my values for career mobility

To make matters worse

I have no internal recourse

Given the absence of protocol or policy

Though required by law for every entity

Thankfully, there is a Tribunal

To which I can make a referral

And I’m armed with clear evidence

To present my case with confidence

– Alia Vaz-Heaven

--------