Turn Left Or Get Shot, by Alex Blaine

22/7/2022

Armed militia
behind enemy lines
Just a small
cardboard cut-out sign
Cops killing kids
over the music they play
And the media
blindly points the finger

Jim Bartlett link

22/7/2022 04:45:25 pm

Probably before your time, but I can't help but hear Neil Young's song as sung by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young - "Ohio"
"Four dead in Ohio."
Sad but well done
Jim

Alex B

22/7/2022 10:06:52 pm

No Can’t say I know Neil Young or Crosby Stills Nash
I will check it out thanks Jim

It may interest you to know In fact was my radio show name
Where I did a late night hip-hop show I got the idea from a book there was a picture from the whats riot The police had a cardboard sign saying turn left to get shot !!

I have to explain to the radio station why it was called that I feel it roots wear it started black Panthers and so then hip hop came and when I was a teenager I was almost arrested by the police because of the music I were playing this happened several times didn’t matter if it was Ice-T . NWA or Tupac

But the beautiful thing is spoke to you in another way than I intended
Or expected and that why love this Thanks again Jim

Jim Bartlett link

23/7/2022 03:36:24 pm

Hi Alex - I actually did see your poem in the intended way as well. So sad, yet so very interesting to hear about your radio show, and especially the sign and almost being arrested. All because of your music.
But, in another way, doesn't that strike you as sort of cool? I think it really speaks to how powerful music (and poems like this one) are! And it was really that thought that took me to Neil Young and "Ohio." (The song is about 4 unarmed students shot and killed by the National Guard at Kent State University in 1970. 9 others were wounded.)
Keep writing my friend.
Jim

Alex B

24/7/2022 07:34:45 pm

Hi Jim thank you for your wonderful message
I see the poem as multiple meaning I like hearing about what comes to mind

I don’t need a gun my God given talented brain so that Can do as much damage and Cause more alarm
I believe Are words can be weapons of mass destruction
If you Intimidated by words of A poet musician
As Governments & Police are and like show they power and flex their muscles

And to answer your question it’s kind of a double edge sword
yes because he gave me the anger to write no because my freedom to walk down the street in peace in a Hoody baggy jeans tracksuit bottoms Sneakers short back and sides so Automatically make me a T.H.U.G so I will get Scott onto the floor get my teeth knocked out
Accused of breaking into my house when my keys in the door
I guess the police in the UK I just expect me to live on a council estate not in a quiet little cottage . it wasn’t until I grow dreadlocks the police d stoped stopping me touchwood they haven’t yet .
they can’t use the usual tactics you fit the description of someone we are looking for which was an excuse … four example we are looking for somebody with a goatee Half of the town lol however my friend stood next to me had a goatee and they didn’t question him

( Tupac send THUG LIFE. The hate you gave Little infants F’s everyone)

always been taken by the story Rubin Carter the hurricane and
Bob Dylan shouts he should’ve been the champion of the world.

My radio show Broadcast on a local voluntary radio station Run by the YMCA but there was lots of rules and they didn’t really get
hip-hop so I had to carefully bend Those Rules

What a great live song
Tin soldier and Nixon’s Comin
I take that’s President Nixon. I thought he was out of office by then but apparently you didn’t leave office till 1973?

History post to be a teach us not to make the same mistakes however they try and eradicate and hide history its songs like this but keep it alive

Its a honour to get your read your thoughts
Thanks again my friend Jim more to come sure
Alex

Sue Clayton

23/7/2022 04:17:37 am

Chilled to the bone by these words, Alex.

Alex B

24/7/2022 07:41:05 pm

thank you sue

Jim Bartlett link

25/7/2022 05:01:45 am

Nixon was reelected in '72, then ended up resigning on August 8, 1974 when it became apparent he was about to be impeached.

The Vietnam war came to an end on April 30, 1975.

Keep directing that anger into your writing and radio - find inspiration in life (both the good and the bad) and in music. Those who have been there before us and lived to sing or tell their story.

Really nice hearing from you, Alex
Keep on keeping on
Jim

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Turn Left Or Get Shot, by Alex Blaine

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