A selection of the many poems written by Maxwell Melvins

  • A Letter to Coretta

    written by Maxwell Melvins, c. 2006
    Dear Coretta, Your compassion, leadership and words of wisdom, In how we shall overcome, as brothers and sisters, and as a team Means everything. Cause alive! Is how you've kept his Dream... With your sense of justice we have learned the true definition, Of what struggle and freedom truly means... And because of your dedication in the efficacy of nonviolence, And in raising your children as a dean, And a dedicated wife to the great-heartedly, Dr. Martin Luther, With dignity, you have always represented and honored your King! As a strong noble woman and beautiful Queen! You've always encouraged us to love ourselves, And to be proud of our heritage, And to respect everyone within the will of merit, With the same love, understanding, strength, wisdom and courage. You've made a difference in our lives. And that's why I tell you in this letter. Because of you and yours, The world is much better. In your strength we've learned how to have faith and fight To believe in ourselves, and our civil rights. And you have given us patience, hope and insight To never give up our beliefs, but should always take A nonviolence stance in our plight... So that we can see the sun rise Over the mountain, to the other side. So it can then open our eyes As people of all nations come together and unite. To see the glory days and nights Of living in peace and harmony, and no longer fight. Dear Coretta, You did not leave us on the day, January 30, 2006. Forever, you will be in our hearts, loved and appreciated, And dearly missed. I now close this letter with the words I love you Sealed with tears of sadness, joy, and a kiss. Dedicated to Mrs. Coretta Scott King

  • Heroin

    written by Maxwell Melvins, c. 2005
    I will, sneak into the country disguised as powdered food spice. I will, come through smuggled in 100-pound bags of rice. I will, maybe be in a shipment of frozen blocks of ice. I will, not worry about the customs or the vice. I will, give 'em what they want and pay their price. I will, I know people in all the right places. I will, I know people from all walks of life and races. I will, I know people with shady backgrounds and records. I will, I know people who'll allow me to get through undetected. I will, I know people; I connected and well-protected. I will, once you put me inside your nose or veins. I will, have an effect on your mind, body, and brain. I will, because I'm dangerously powerful little white grains. I will, be like a worst nightmare that drives you insane. I will, be the one that cause you heartache and pain. I will, it doesn't matter your skin color or your name. I will, be waiting for you inside bags of cellophane, I will, because each and every one of you are the same. I will, make you addictively-addicted to my disease. I will, make you sick when you haven't had a taste of me. I will, make you cold shiver and sneeze. I will, make you unstable; and put your mind, and body at un-ease. I will, make you drop-down to your knees. I will, make you beg for another fix, "O, please". I will, make you give-not one life sparing. I will, make you just that daring. I will, make you ruthless as well as uncaring. I will, make you senseless without unerring. I will, make your place the blame. I will, make you trick people with games. I will, make you destroy peoples names. I will, make you conscious-less without guilt or shame. I will, make you destroy your life in phases. I will, make you because I'm vicious and contagious. I will, make you hurt your loved ones in spells of rages. I will, make you do things to them that are outrageous. I will, make you like an animal until you're placed in cages. I will, destroy the marrow in your bones. I will, leave you without a house and home. I will, put you in the streets and make you roam. I will, leave you in this world all alone. I will, make you stress and cause you strife. I will, make you not think about it twice. I will, make you betray your family, friends, kids and wife. I will, make you take another human being's life. I will, make you go to prison with a death sentence of for life.

  • Domestic Violence

    written by Maxwell Melvins
    Horribly, horribly, black and blue All over your face and body repeatedly. It's happening to you You don't want to believe it, But again, it's true... A child is crying A mother is sighing A father knows the truth And again, he's lying. A woman is battered A family's life is scattered A child's hopes and dreams shattered What's the matter? A broken jaw, legs and bones A family is left without a home A mother and her child on the streets alone. A woman is replaced A family is misplaced A child is displaced. Women, know your worth! Always put your child's and own needs first. And the first time he raises his hands, Or curse... Get out real fast and keep moving forward Never hesitate, and don't look back, And never put it in reverse. Because if you do, it will get worse, And you and your child Could end up in a hearse.

  • Why Did They Come So Late?

    lyrics to song written by Maxwell Melvins, c. 2005
    When I awakened this morning and turned on my T.V. set All the things I saw happening were hard for me to believe, And accept, The pain and suffering in their faces, For as long as I live I will never forget, For all that Has happened to them, I am sorry and deeply regret. I first thought it was a movie scene, Because My eye's couldn't believe the horrors, they'd seen, I wished it were only my imagination, Or Just another one of my dreams, But these were real faces Of people I saw on the screen, shock, terror And despair, filled the air, I'm talking about The tragedy, in New Orleans
    chorus: Why did they come so late To help the people in New Orleans, to evacuate Tell me why did they come so late In America, that teach our Children That love is better than hate
    Why did it take so many days to reach, a scheme? Before the right people was willing to intervene? Why were the victims left without, food, shelter, water And places to get their bodies, clean? In the way they Were treated, was cruel, criminal, unkind, and mean It's hard to understand the reasons why, they would hesitate, To help those who were less fortunate, And without their own Means to evacuate, When other lives could've been saved If they wouldn't have wait, to come so late
    chorus: Why did they come so late To help the people in New Orleans, to evacuate Tell me why they did come so late In American, that teach our Children That love is better than hate
    As the water rised people began to cry, In disbelief As their homes washed away before their eyes, Leaving Them without a home, or food to eat, And why for Seven days later were they still out in the streets? Some without clothing on their backs, or shoes on their feet? Mother's were crying, fathers, were sighing, They couldn't Do much but they kept on trying, To help save, Their friends, families, and neighbors from dying, Bodies were scaterred, lives, were shattered, This was a time for Action, not chitter chatter'rr
    chorus: Why did they come so late To help the people in New Orleans, to evacuate Tell me why they did come so late In American, that teach our Children That love is better than hate