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Rosa's Eyes

Missing image

sitting fearfully
with stubborn resolve
warm cocoa simmering
amongst whitewashed

marshmallows
puffed up with self worth
dusted with sugary arrogance

slurs stirring inside
endlessly whipping frenzy
to pleading eyes
she rode in silence
speaking volumes
that would sound loudly

what kind of world was this
that the light
feared the dark
instead of welcoming
the blending

for one without the other
would leave emptiness
filling the void with
tangible hate
teeth bared
without reason

lessons learned
at someone else's knee
wrapped up in lies
to be labeled
truth

still she sat
with the ignorance
staring through windows
from the past
with defiant intent
to change her limited view

of future expectations

in her eyes blurred images
of burning crosses
trees with swinging feet
and white hooded men
claiming superiority
in God's name
or any name
that would justify
immense cruelty

the past lived inside her
poverty and hunger
dark degradation
remembered in memories
of generations
spoken like fairy tales
but with truth's conviction

her papa had borne scars
engraved with hatred
into honeyed skin
of the shackles that cut
deeply into worth
and self definition

inside his eyes was
aching refusal
to accept so called truths
he and his papa before him
carried the scars
passing them forward
to burn again in new eyes

hoping and praying
to one day drown
fiery flames of pain
with cooling salves
of knowledge,
freedom
and most of all
equality

little girl dreams
are all the same
they know no distinction
of class or race
human rights are
inalienable
should be granted to all 
human beings

 

yet some still ride the bus
at the very back  
fighting to regain
what should
have always been theirs

watching the scenes evolve
over and over
reinventing prejudice
disguising its malicious intent
through concave windows
that catch an eternity
of tears

 

 

falling silently


from Rosa's eyes...

 

 

 

 

Author notes

30 lines and over
Free Verse


This piece is written about Rosa Parks and the struggles of a whole race of human beings towards truth, justice and equality.



Rosa Louise McCauley Parks (February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005) was an African American civil rights activist and seamstress whom the U.S. Congress dubbed the "Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement".
Parks is famous for her refusal on December 1, 1955 to obey bus driver James Blake's demand that she relinquish her seat to a white man. Her subsequent arrest and trial for this act of civil disobedience triggered the Montgomery Bus Boycott, one of the largest and most successful mass movements against racial segregation in history, and launched Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the organizers of the boycott, to the forefront of the civil rights movement. Her role in American history earned her an iconic status in American culture, and her actions have left an enduring legacy for civil rights movements around the world.

I chose to enter a piece I wrote recently. It is a historical piece with social implications. This is the type of piece that I most enjoy writing, it is simply me and conveys a strong message. I hope you enjoy


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Comments

1 - 30 of 30

  • CountryCousin
    February 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    I agree.

    This is a piece that I think should be published for all to read and while it is in the contest, it is worthy of more than just a comment from me. This is exactly what I am looking for.


  • secberm
    February 5, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Wonderfully scripted, sister. The flow was smooth and easy and love the direction you took with it. One truth in history (actual factuals not he say she say) but your words, your perception, your compassion (and infusing THE truth) makes this a wonderful write. You chose a strong woman here. A very strong woman. Somtimes is hard to stand by our convictions. Sometimes we don't want to. Sometimes we have no choice. And sometimes, we's just tired of this here cheeznips! LOL Write on, love. One.

    Dez


  • Celticmoon
    October 28, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Bunny,

    I have to be honest with you here. History is not a subject I enjoy nor is it one that holds my interest, however, I will say this had you written the history textbook I had to read back in high school I might have found interest in the subject and I would have passed the course with flying colors. Your discription of such an event as seemingly simple as this captured my attention and demanded me to read continually....for that alone I applaud you. It takes much to hold my attention on the matter of historical views and or events. Bravo! Thank you for entering and good luck!


    Blessings
    Bel


  • Spring Blossoms gold member
    August 6, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    Thank you for your entry

    That was very long. I cannot remember half of what you wrote. Forgive me I am 11 and I have ADD so I can't pay attention too long. I like that you wrote about Rosa Parks. We learned about her in school. I like the part where you talked about how we all should be equal.

    God Bless everyone,
    Ashley


  • Page Shut down
    August 4, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    Thanks for your entry

    Your strength of passion in this poem speaks volumes. I particularly like the first stanza with the imagery displayed by your words. I had to read it twice to fully revel in that imagery. Very well written good flow and structure. I appreciate the time you took to enter our contest.

    I encourage you to keep writing to read and comment.

    God Bless
    Tammy


  • Everwind Rising
    July 30, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    That one hits hard! Brilliant! Filled with powerful imagery and illuminating metaphors. You have told a story both recent and ancient, preached a sermon bold and stirring, and brought back humanity to an iconic ideal.

  • goalsv
    July 2, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Awesome job of telling the story of a woman that should not only be a role model of her race, or gender, but a role model of any human being. She new her heart, she new what was right, and went and got it no matter what the cost!


  • Gwenevere
    July 1, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Excellent

    You tell this so well.We like to think that times have changed but have they really.there is still so much bigotry in the world.You are so right, this poem conveys a strong message to all.Well done, Ros


  • Dark Whispers
    May 28, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This poem was well structured and well worded, it also flowed very well, great write.

    I'm going to say Lady-Pegusus because this poem just seams like something she would write.


  • poetryality silver member
    March 23, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    "what kind of world was this
    that the light
    feared the dark
    instead of welcoming
    the blending

    for one without the other
    would leave emptiness
    filling the void with
    tangible hate
    teeth bared
    without reason"


    You asked an age old question here in a way that it has yet to be asked. Wish I had an answer. Poignant to say the least! There is no question in my mind as to why this brilliant poem won gold in the challenge before this one. EXQUISITE. if I did not know who Rosa Parks was...I would be rushing to find out after reading this. There is so very much here pet. Thank you for this entry into my challenge. It has to be one of your best and I am wowed! YOU ARE A CONTENDER!




    Much Love ♥

    Renee


  • maa gold member
    March 8, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    I like this lady !
    and smiled a lot about the :

    "warm cocoa simmering
    amongst whitewashed
    marshmallows
    puffed up with self worth
    dusted with sugary arrogance"

    I can understand why you won gold with this poem ...
    warm cocoa congrats !

    marion

  • GarbageCan
    February 26, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    ohh I really like this the fight for freedoma nd exactly what it means for her really really great job! thank you so much for entering and I wish you the best of luck!

    ~lamia

  • RandomGurl09
    February 23, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    LOVED IT WITH A TRIPLE L

    Omg! I am in love with your poem! It was so metaphorically beautiful and descriptive. You also had really powerful alliteration: Fiery Flames of pain ( A favorite line ) I also loved your overall ideas and imagery. My favorite stanza of imagery would probably have to be:

    in her eyes blurred images
    of burning crosses
    trees with swinging feet
    and white hooded men
    claiming superiority
    in God's name
    or any name
    that would justify
    immense cruelty

    ( Oooh! That stanza just gave me chills. Great imagery! )

    And my favorite set of lines:

    she rode in silence
    speaking volumes
    that would sound loudly

    ( Very powerful. Loved it! lol )

    Plus, Rosa Parks is my all-time favorite past time hero. She is my role model. I love her! I was so upset when I found out she died! Sometimes when I was little I'd say I would go and find her and interview her and she'd be my best friend. lol. Anyways...great write. It was very powerful!

    Best wishes

    ~Jessica

  • BHolzner gold member
    February 19, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This poem is very powerful poem. This poem should be published because all that was felt and learned from Rosa Parks will be obsolete in the eyes of the next generation of children. BHolzner


  • Aurielle
    February 19, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    what kind of world was this
    that the light
    feared the dark
    instead of welcoming
    the blending

    my style i like this

    and how you added falling silently
    from Rosa's eye

    how the windows weep
    as her eyes wonder
    what joy and llife could
    be that the gooness
    can fear the sadness

    In dreams of lovely silent
    i mutter

    very nice

    it was very inspirational


  • Asdzaa Nadleehe
    February 18, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Brilliant

    Im so very impressed with this piece..very inspirational and moving..

    slurs stirring inside
    endlessly whipping frenzy
    to pleading eyes
    she rode in silence
    speaking volumes
    that would sound loudly ....

  • ShatteredDiamonds
    February 18, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    wonderful and inspirational poem you have here.
    i love the images and the metaphors that you have used as well. i have to say that i will never understand the events that you speak of as i do not feel that one should be judged based on the color of their skin ect,the heart is what matters.

  • ocerus
    February 18, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This is simply superb. At first, I thought it was about a hispanic woman named Rosa, and I got a little bored the more I read of it. But as it continued, I realized it was about Rosa Parks and it just got better and better. I wish you nothing but the best for yourself and this great piece, and I thank you for giving me the chance to read both it and the accompanying bit of history you also so graciously provided. Thank you! - ocerus

  • unraveled
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    OH WOW! This is SUCH an amazing poem. You really did a great job on this, and the entire poem is extremely creative. You show human emotion, reasoning, fear, and reaction and do a great job of it. I especially like the part, "he and his papa before him carried the scars passing them forward to burn again in new eyes". This is an AWESOME poem.


  • rerouni66
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    In Awe!

    I am blown away by this new piece. The feelings were bold and you described eloquently what society was like back then. My only hope is that society does not go back to manner of thinking.


  • grannyeri gold member
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Very impressed with this poem - great picture and even educational as well as entertaining. Certainly a great moment in history.


  • penman gold member
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Tremendous

    This was fantastic. You captured this moment in history with such emotion and drama. Really drew the reader in. Good luck in the survivor series.


  • Jadeheart 41
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    very impressive!!

    This was very strong and spoke a lot to those who read through it... Great write!! I look forward to reading more of your poems! Thank you for sharing!


  • Silent Cougar Moderators member
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    just as I said previously, your words always echo a message within.
    The struggles lived by the dark days of slavery, still cover this world today, only in different eyes do these thoughts cry. Todays world still has the white hoods, the hanging trees, the scars, just on changing faces, other lands. we all know its there, we just need to get the message across from the history pages of not so long ago, to the other side,and follow the routes they took.


  • Floorboards
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    impressive

    this was indeed very impressive, i do prefer your shorter pieces though, i find it hard to concentrate on longer pieces, maybe it's because i've read over fifty poems this morning i don't know, please don't be offended bunny, as good as it was, i just prefer them a little shorter,
    cheers,
    alex


  • Ryno
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    I thought you did a magnificent job on this - I can see where every single wording came from, and can tell you read the articles and took the advice that Justin had offered. I feel the double-title-meaning worked well for the piece;
    Rosa's Eyes - because this is the hectic life and events she had lived
    &
    Rosa's Eyes - because of the tears falling from her eyes
    Am I correct?
    All your line breaks were chosen very well, I especially like the formatting of these lines;
    "of knowledge,
    freedom
    and most of all
    equality"
    I have some suggestions though.


    "that catch an eternity
    of tears...





    falling silently
    from Rosa's eyes..."


    the abstracted triple spacing was creative in adding emphasis on the last lines, but I feel you should take the first set of '...' out, it transacts with the second '...' that come soon after, blending an interrupted flow. Also, the triple spacing adds enough emphasis, you don't need to slur out the line, making it longer then needed.

    Fantastic job Bunny - unique concept, and original wording.

    ~Ryan~


  • AliceinPoetryLand gold member
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This is just brilliant. You have given me a history lesson in poetic form and it's so clever my friend. There is such sadness and so many emotions in this.
    I would have to say I have two favourite poarts to this

    'what kind of world was this
    that the light
    feared the dark
    instead of welcoming
    the blending'

    'in her eyes blurred images
    of burning crosses
    trees with swinging feet
    and white hooded men
    claiming superiority
    in God's name
    or any name
    that would justify
    immense cruelty'

    However the whole write is just amazing. My very best to you in this contest my friend
    Gaylenes



  • Thankful
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Rosa would be so proud

    Even though i never met or really knew much about rosa, I feel that just by the words that you have written that i could feel her pain and her lonelyness and seperation you should be so proud of this and i really believe that this belongs in one of our history books so people can try and understand what they went through every day, thank you for writing such a beautiful piece of art. god bless


  • Peteskid gold member
    February 17, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Brava!

    on two levels here..Rosa Parks was the most beloved figure in the civil rights movement and one reason was her wonderful sense of compassion..which many felt they saw in her eyes... how those eyes then saw such change in the world... she was honored in life but retained her wonderful openess and unassuming grace...sorry to go on but you have plucked a gem here!

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