I wrote this poem a few years ago when so called ‘Cancel Culture’ began to settle more comfortably into our society. I thought it would be a passing fad, much like dance marathons, flagpole sitting, or freudian psychology…look them up, I promise, those were once all ‘a thing’, lol. And as painful as all of those were they left behind far less casualties than what is happening in our midst today, sad to say. Let’s all do our part to cancel Canceled. Shalom! You are loved!
A video poem by C C Keaton
The critic queried:
Dear Cancel Culture,
Why?
Do we not see our own flaws
With ravenous claws
And shameful lies
We hold so dear
And near…?
What we fear?
And justify?
Do we just despise?
Criticize?
Hold others accountable
For what we’ve hidden, deep inside?
That’s called pride,
And not a good kind
And, who are we anyway to decide…?
One correspondent penned:
Dear Cancel Culture,
My name is Love
I am the only response that can withstand
Your scrutinized snub
I am patient, so I can wait as long as it takes
I am kind, I treat everyone above my own stakes
I won’t be jealous of your rights, fame, or likes
For my own sake
I won’t boast about being right
Or say I have never made mistakes
I kill my pride and humbly hear your case
My desire is not to be rude, to beat you in pace
I won’t respond in irritated, wry aches
And I won’t take offense or remember your hate
I’ll only pray truth will win this race
So, though you may seek to cancel anyone
Who doesn’t see your particular claim
I am Love, I never give up on any lost case
Or lose faith
I hope the best for everyone from everyplace
And, I’ll endure through all the onslaught,
No matter the stakes
I am Love, in Me live forgiveness and grace
And so, dear Cancel Culture, I, Love,
Long to take your place!
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT