POETICS by Axel Garcia

Poetics by Axel Garcia

Get a sneak peek into Poetics by Axel Garcia. The piece “Not Enough” speaks about the truths happening in today’s society. It tells the story of color, race, religion, background, and the judgments and shame we face for just wanting to be accepted and loved as we are. Undoubtedly, this is one of my favorite pieces because it expresses a need for what most of us are asking for from the world – peace, understanding, acceptance, and change.

“Not Enough”

I’ve never fit in
My spot never chosen
Not Spanish enough to move my hips easily
Nor American enough to step on others to rise
Too militant
Yet not suffered enough to raise fists
Not white enough even when rocking to Metal
Roots not African enough to proclaim ancestry
My DNA is as scattered as my thoughts
Ask me who I am
I’ll say one thing and disagree with myself
Neither this nor the other
Not Muslim enough to Habibi
Not Christian enough to feel the Holy Spirit
Not Taino enough to darken my skin
Not animal enough to kill
Not human enough to care
Not covered enough in tattoos
Not paid enough to afford my bills
Not educated enough to be allowed formulated opinions
You leave me boxed in
Cornered as a hunted beast
Who every now and then reacts
Attacks
And blamed for doing so
Don’t even want to step outside
Not worthy enough to walk
Shouldn’t even write
Not accepted enough to be cool with the clique
I stand just on the cusp
Peaking my head in ever so often
Shouldn’t be alive
Not worthy of breath
Someone else needs it more
Don’t want to see anymore
Vision I’d give to the blind immediately
I could say I’ve lost my way
If there was ever one to be lost
So I’ll remain
Until I fade from memory
And be just a whisper to some

copyright ©Axel Garcia