There was a land where children played
In multicolored skin
And swam the surf of fragrant mirth
Where friendships never end.
Red, Yellow, Brown, Black and White
Hands joined in jubilee.
Rainbow circle castles raised
Near sandy bending knees.
They shared their technicolor dreams
From every night before.
Each voice rang in playful turn
Along the ocean shore.
One day a wind of change blew in
Hard as a hurricane.
A creature washed up on their beach
Sand soaked in acid rain.
Such a lovely one she was,
Skin fresh as morning dew.
She rose with glisten in her step
And spoke as if she knew.
"Beware the snare of rainbows pull!"
"They're going to attack!"
"You cannot take this disarray,
White, Red, Yellow, Brown and Black!"
The children scattered far that day,
Each to his own abode.
With sticks and stones in readiness
To bash the others bones.
You see, her name was Prejudice.
She sang in tones of blue
To fool those who had never seen
The damage rumors do.
Perfect were her words to them
As she pointed here and there.
Soon rainbow hearts were filled with hate
As Ignorance seared the air.
Just as she had bound them
To a life of misery,
She noticed shadow beings
Set in the forest past the sea.
She screamed in her astonishment
As Wisdom raised his ugly head.
She would have to deal with him.
He must be rendered dead!
He looked like quite the pauper,
Disheveled hair of gray.
Those who didn't know him thought
He was in the crazy way.
His body stooped and fragile,
Rusted shovel and a pail.
His cane was green bound ivy
Just like him, seeming frail.
Rumors called him evil
So his foe thought she would too.
But she did not see Yellow
Hidden under makeshift pew.
Almond eyes were listening
As she heard the woman say,
"Old fool, I'll have you for my lunch
And the children will never play!"
"Your words unheard won't matter
Old man frail, ugly and green!"
"The sight of you will scatter
All the Wisdom they would glean!"
The battle, it was raging
As Yellow spoke to White,
And Brown shook hands with Black and Red
And they went to join the fight.
The old man spoke so softly
They could scarce hear past the wind.
He pointed back at Prejudice
To foil her vile intent.
"Prejudice is just a lie
To sever hearts of boys and girls,
But together they're forever tied.
They don't need you in their world!"
At this, the children joined their hands,
Went marching down the beach
In step with one another
Never missing beat.
When Wisdom saw them coming,
It was music to his eyes
And with one swipe of his shovel
He cast Prejudice aside!
She was swept back in the ocean
Never to return again
And Wisdom dwells forever more
With multicolor skin.
Author notes
Photo courtesy of SpiritMother
In collaboration with these fine poets:
luckynsincere, Scarlet Whisper, Soccer-Freak-Tyler, NinelDuellen, SpiritMother, blackday, -Marc Ouroboros-, Nermine
Our New School Team entry for APTP Old School V New School Competition.
Adult written--Kid approved 
Written June 16th, 2006
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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excellent
I read one comment of the blending, I have to say that this flowed like one poet, and in that tense alone...makes this amazing. I can already see that I'll end up with a few new favorites from this comp, but more than that, hopefully some new friends.
best wishes newbies
Peace Muddy -
this is just
ohmygosh 
you are all good 
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There is something about working with people who are willing to take critcism from each other and being helpful at the same time..We all just melded together so well with one another..no cross words, no ego inflations, just like children, we played together with our minds! I love them all so much..They are just wonderful to be around!
Yes, Christine.... it is too bad the whole world doesn't work this way!!
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Wow, guys, this is truly awesome! I would have NEVER known that this was written by an entire group, it flowed flawlessly. The meter was flawless throughout, and the rhyme was silky smooth. And to top it off, you weaved in an incredibly powerful message about prejudice... probably the best one I've ever read on that subject. It's too bad the solution isn't as simple as that. Simply phenominal work, all of you!
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Just wish it was all os simple as that. Nice poem though.William
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this was amazing!
Di
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I have to say you guys sure blended in so very well together and wrote a marvilous piece of art here with such a powerful and meaningful message I feel lucky to have been spared facing my counter parts in elimination. WOW! A stunning write you should all be proud!
Love and Light
Blaze -
Truly beautiful. I love it.
I am always able to find words for what I am thinking, but today, after reading this incredibly beautiful poem, I am stunned to almost being silent. I think it is reverence I am feeling, for the message of this poem is so sweetly grand and true, and the construction of the poem is so excellent, it leaves me almost breathless. Truly. This is one of the most beautiful poems I have read at AP, or anywhere else. It should be in English literature textbooks for study by students all over the world. A message such as this is important to help us love one another.
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I am taken back by how incredible each of these entries were! I thought that it may have been a clear- cut decision, but it's proven a worthy match between both of you teams.
What I thought was nice about this peace was the unity it had. I couldn't tell between the stanzas which of you wrote which, and truthfully had I not known this as a collaboration I would have just assumed the same writer wrote it all! You all really meshed together well, and really pulled off a fantastic first mission together.
This is an amazing start, and has shown that you all are true rivals of the team of veterans. This is haping up to be less of a clear- cut contest as we all may have thought at first!
Best of luck, team.
J -
Cool,this is the first poem i,m reading here and it was really nice.
claps
Your smart thistle!keep up your good work
Peace -
This poem is amazin!
i feel like im watching this happen!
brillant work
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