Blade In My Hand.
Tell the truth man, you do not really understand.
I need to have this knife displayed in my hand.
If people do not see that I am prepared to fight.
I know it will be me, the first in the line to die.
It gets respect in the neighbourhood that I run.
If you want an easy target, I’m not the easy one.
The gang I run with that is my family and identity.
This shiny blade in my hand is my only security.
The rules are attack is always better than defence.
You don't have any time to be sitting on any fence.
In a split decision you have to choose to live or die.
There is only one decision if I didn't have this knife.
So many of my friends are now laying out flat dead.
That kind of shit fucks with any young man’s head.
So, until someone offers me a better alternative life.
My best friend will be this big shiny bladed knife.
Nataiella .
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Author:
Tobani / Nataiella (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: May 27th, 2025 02:00
- Comment from author about the poem: The epidemic of knife violence has not just happened, teenagers have been going out tooled up for many many years. This is how a young person i supported in years gone by, explained his reasons. I do not condone, justify or make it excuses for it, personally i am off the belief if you are carrying and the situation arose, you would use it, whether you intended to or not.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 29
- Users favorite of this poem: Cheeky Missy, Tristan Robert Lange
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Comments10
There's a lot of it about. Not only knives, it's machetes, bloody great blades. And only one Aust state has made the grave decision to ban them after a gang rumble in a large shopping mall (can't be having that, it might frighten the customers - it did actually...)
You have nailed it in your write.
Yes it is a scary world we live in, different rules apply to the streets today than they used to, thank you for your feedback, much appreciated
For me in Oz a very timely write.
We were raised to use knives as tools in the olden days, it was a sign of growing up now it's just not the same. 🕊️🙏🏻
Even in the seventies when I was young people carried flick knifes and switch blades but it was very rare they were ever used, rules were different then amongst teenage groups. Gangs or group were decided by the fashion you wore or the music you listen to, not like now, by postcode, drugs, where you born, family ties, or your just forced to join, a very different world, thank you for your feedback.
we didn't have video games back then where you die and get your life back again... it must be confusing for the thought process and morality.🙏🏻🕊️
Totally agree
Sad as it may be there are parst of the world you need to carry a weapon.In Sydney the gangs use knives and guns. Very powerful poem attacking a difficult subject.Well written
Thank you, very much appreciated
Nataiella another powerful write of dominance, power, maintaining one's turf and respect. This extends beyond the literal knife to the symbolic knife wielded in life. Nicely written
Thank you, very much appreciated
Gritty and intense. Well written!
Thank you, very much appreciated
You are welcome!
Great write
Thank you, very much appreciated
You're welcome
Kind of a terrifying piece of poetry. What is the world coming to if we have to exist in conditions such as this. Is there no hope for mankind? Your poem shines light on situations that spell disaster for future times. Will the world be a place of armed camps? Kill or be killed? Not such a pretty picture, but you've painted it well. Enjoyed this read. - Phil A.
Thank you for your feedback, very much appreciated
Strong words Tobani, there is a lot of knoife crime around and i just do not understand why, is the world that bad these days!
Andy
Sadly in some inner city areas it is, Thank you for your feedback, enjoy your day
Scary world we are in. I need not even begin to bring up the gun violence plaguing my country. I need not even say which country "my country" is when mentioning gun violence. 🙄 Anywho, wonderful and timely write, my friend. 🙏🌹👏
Thank you, all the best
You are most welcome!
The tongue is neither shiny nor appears to be a blade which can be sheathed, yet my late mother warned me too many years ago about how much like a scimitar mine was and against using it freely in that regard. Likewise, in the battle of kill or be killed, I learned painfully that I'd rather be the victim than the murderer, and again, not so evidently as a knife battle proves. Ergo, it's a painfully relevant discussion raised. Excellently rendered with exquisite imagery and a painfully resonating poignancy. Thank you for sharing.
For me the tongue is a lethal weapon if used to its full potential, I really appreciate your feedbacks, they are honest and genuine, and I learn from them, many thanks
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