Two Doors

February 17, 2013

There are two doors with which to enter Only one of which is right Only one will give you freedom and promise That door is for the white The other is marked with poverty With hardship whipped into its back With nothing but a dream to cling to That door is for the black One door has never suffered Their freedom constant in their sight Yet they take it from the colored That door is for the white One door was promised liberty With every whips crack A distortion of equality That door is for the black One door argues hatred Their discrimination full of spite Demanding separate but not equal That door is for the white One door wishes peace Civil disobedience their only attack To walk alongside as equals That door is for the black Two doors with which to enter Only one of which is right Is it the door for the black? Or the door for the white?

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Comments (6)

dancenkflameNov 27, 2023

Did you know the Irish that came here to America in the begining came here fleaing from salvery. Before the Africans came, the British promised them freedom if they were slaves for so long here. Unfortunate, that any race had to feel this pain. But slavery has been around since the begining of time. Check out Roman history, Egypt, Persia. From what I can tell by history the only group of people that did not ensalve other were Native Americans and the Myans did that! Any way I'm not trying to troll. My favorite part is this:There are two doors with which to enter Only one of which is right Only one will give you freedom and promise That door is for the white I replied like this ten years ago. But today I see a glaring racist silencing. I apologize. And add that your writing is heavy and beautiful.

Stephanie D.Feb 25, 2014

Wonderful ending with the ambiguity! This poem beautifully comments on racial discrimination. Keep up the good writing.

jakeyabJan 7, 2014

I must say that I do like this poem simple yet being real about discrimination

AbriJun 5, 2013

this was a really nice poem, very intriguing and it makes the mind wonder

jwienerMay 2, 2013

I agree. The "Two Doors" title is extremely symbolic. Also, this is a wonderfully written poem! Keep writing, and expressing your true beliefs about the world and society. Head on over to the "Resources" section for some inspiration and ideas!

Rachel_RialsFeb 17, 2013

I always felt that the segregation of buildings, fountains, and even entrances showed how truly horrid discrimination was. What was supposed to be "separate but equal" was not. So, the two separate entrances symbolize different things to me. Which one was right? Which door should you take?