Filthy Theatrical



A child goes missing, swamped by the dustbin gale
Their name, their faces, a plea in faded ink
The posters pasted, weathered, wrinkled and frail
Erstwhile Somerville’s redeemable rethink
The wealthy, the fair and pure; their stories sail
The media's lens; its focus - a precinct
Worry freaked families lost in blurred alert
Beefed defiance; the classically inert

About this poem

This poem is in Ottava Rima form (option not available in the dropdown) I wrote this in dedication to KTVU news anchor Frank Sommerville who was wrongfully terminated after exposing racial disparities in the media's coverage of missing child cases.

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Written on October 15, 2024

Submitted by Caleiph on November 20, 2024

Modified by Caleiph on January 20, 2025

17 sec read
12

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABABABCC
Closest metre Iambic hexameter
Characters 364
Words 58
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 8

Caleiph Kenyon Brewer

No face photo posted. You don’t need to know what I look like with the amount of discrimination I have faced in a lifetime and the racism this country is headed into. I rather share my bio, story and poems. I have health and disability issues, easily misunderstood. I don’t work or attend school nor do it need to. I earn enough money to support myself. I’m just trying to live peacefully and be the best version of myself without ending the world. Content creation not competition. I write as a hobby just like gaming at casinos for leisure. Product not profit dignity not recognition. Growth not greed. And know that the loudest wheel is often times the weakest. Find your sound, fortify your voice, get your ink, tell your story and carve your footprint (ownership eh?) Creative people weirdos that make you go hmmm. Retired U.S. Army Human Resources Instructor Sergeant First Class Caleiph Kenyon Brewer is a community service advocate, veteran, artist. He is the author of "The Poetic Zeal" (2006) and "AFFLATUS INBOUND: Rowing for Peace" (2024). Berkeley Influenced with the self-described 'gangsta teaching style; not settling to be as good as others will allow you to be. He advises other aspiring instructors To apply the Apple Ballad and reach beyond walls of discrimination; not allowing injustice be the candle you light to your students. And that your students are the ray beyond doubt for a future that is better and brighter than you (the teacher) Caleiph's unique zoning concept (what he describes as) using ALL senses to "blend into the masterpiece." Caleiph urged and imparted his students HARD to use their creativity- pushing them NOT to their limits but outside the box of a "blocked imagination" so they CAN BE Gracefully Critical when confronting sexism, racism, ignorance and favoritism. Caleiph's identifies as LGBTQI and came out in 2007 after serving 3 years on Active Duty in the Regular Army - years before the rescind of DADT. Caleiph reasons that he could not hide behind cover or in "Private Brewer space or skin while engaged in a firefight on the battlefield." The courage to serve in combat begets his dignity to live outside the closet. Not to question God, although I’m not religious, I will beg the question for humanity why is gay deemed a choice/preference to many in society when you’re Black and male but molded as an orientation if White or other racial backgrounds? I’ve struggled with social attitudes personal and professional being openly gay due to complexities of religious straitjacketing, the social expectation in the workplace - outside of work and the conundrum of attraction schemes while dating. The hypercritical centerfold being Black, male and masculine-- those tractions of manliness, racial and gender classifications garner much criticism in people's view on sexuality. When I hear the buzzword preference in terms of sexuality, I believe there an innuendo of applied discrimination taken place; I prefer this and not that; I prefer that and not this —discrimination is already taken place. Moreover when I hear the term sexual preference— what activates in my mind are the typical preference clades gay man use in deciphering attractiveness such as race, nationality, and body type. You find examples of these preference expressions (a la discrimination) on dating apps where blatantly people will say “No Fats No Fems No Asians” or “big dick only” as a plow to approach or expect to be approached by a set of concentrated criteria what most gay man will view as a type. I don’t typically think or associate “preference” with desiring a man over a woman sexually just because of my skin color what I look like. There’s no “try” or decision to be made between two sexes when desiring intimacy for a gay male. I’m aware of the status quo gay black men encounter to either be ashamed, in denial, or lie and identify as bisexual to be politically correct -ultimately fitting into the grandiose landscape of discreet black men (many with faceless online profiles on gay dating apps ) who have to hide who they are because of racism. I am passionate, but I am not stubborn. I respect others who disagree with my opinion or openness . Things are a matter of perspective and experiences. Of course, “ don’t say gay” is a ferocious force, but gay and it’s existential human condition is not a choice— coming out is. Nevertheless I believe artists love art and craft so much they FEEL IT. His collection of poems reflects his unique voice and perspective, which resonates with readers seeking depth and insight in poetic expression. His greatest pillar is to choose dignity over recognition; and creativity over imaginative boundary. And don’t call yourself a leader when you pick from the bottom of the pile to materialize results you need up top. Be the milestone (accountable) in the journey where the stars are the destination. more…

All Caleiph Kenyon Brewer poems | Caleiph Kenyon Brewer Books

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    "Filthy Theatrical" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 5 Feb. 2025. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/205026/filthy-theatrical>.

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