July 24, 2014

Poetry Friday--"Shadows"

Caption: Young girls going to work in Mill No. 1 Cocheco Mfg. Co., Dover, N.H. I saw them go to work regularly, day after day. May 17, 1909--Noon. Location: Dover, New Hampshire. Photo taken by Lewis Wickes Hine, courtesy Library of Congress.
Shadows

There is always someone
in the shadows.
Always watching.
Keeping tabs.
Making sure no one meets
with gentlemen.
Or talks to labor organizers.

Watching us.
Their eyes lingering.
Their thoughts...
Need I tell you what their
thoughts might be?
Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu,
priez pour nous...

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

If you haven't been following my Sketchbook Project progression, you can catch up by clicking here.

Sylvia and Janet will be hosting the Round-Up for this week at Poetry for Children. And while you're there, take a look at the history of children's poetry over the past 25 years in this post.
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19 comments:

  1. catherinemjohnson.comJuly 25, 2014 at 7:43 AM

    Oh yes I see the shadow. How creepy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Diane MayrJuly 25, 2014 at 8:06 AM

    I've found at least one other Hine mill photo with a man lurking in a doorway, and in that one, too, there's a young girl nearby. Creepy to the max!

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  3. BJ LeeJuly 25, 2014 at 2:06 PM

    Interesting subject! Interesting poem! Creepy guy!

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  4. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesJuly 25, 2014 at 4:37 PM

    I don't know, I'm also pretty creeped out by the stalker photographer who is taking their picture after watching them "day after day." Great eye and ear for detail, Diane.

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    Replies
    1. Diane MayrJuly 26, 2014 at 7:22 AM

      http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ncl2004000142/PP/

      Delete
  5. LindaJuly 25, 2014 at 5:23 PM

    Creepy photo indeed! Your poem captured the feeling these young women probably experienced!

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  6. Bridget MageeJuly 25, 2014 at 6:55 PM

    Whoa! That shadow is spooky! Your poem captures the scene perfectly. = )

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    Replies
    1. Diane MayrJuly 26, 2014 at 7:34 AM

      Check out the link I added under Michelle's comment.

      Delete
  7. KeriJuly 25, 2014 at 8:21 PM

    I didn't see him until I read the comments, which is also creepy. :-0 Beautifully written and haunting.

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    Replies
    1. Diane MayrJuly 26, 2014 at 7:33 AM

      Thanks, Keri! I find you miss a lot of detail depending on what kind of device you use.

      Delete
  8. AnonymousJuly 25, 2014 at 9:38 PM

    It's interesting to read your poem, then look back to the photo and imagine which of the girls is speaking. Another beautiful poem.

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    Replies
    1. Diane MayrJuly 26, 2014 at 7:37 AM

      I imagine it's the girl in profile on the right. She's keeping a watchful eye.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJuly 26, 2014 at 1:27 PM

      That's the girl I chose.

      Delete
  9. Janet WongJuly 26, 2014 at 1:29 PM

    SUPER creepy. I never would've noticed the person in the doorway if not for your poem (which is just right for this photo). The figure seems ghostly because I don't see shoes. Do you?

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  10. Carol VarsalonaJuly 26, 2014 at 11:48 PM

    Diane, I am always intrigued by the character's voice that you pop out. This poem is a striking example of this. The gentleman in the shadow was captured wonderfully by your narration.

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  11. Mary LeeJuly 27, 2014 at 5:40 AM

    I'm with Keri -- I didn't see the lurker until I read the comments. I wonder if Hines even realized that mirror of himself was there.

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  12. Author AmokJuly 28, 2014 at 10:52 AM

    Hi, Diane. Same here. I didn't see the shadow until I read your poem. Truly chilling -- something about that hat. And what a contrast with the happy girls. I like that, in your poem, they are aware of his presence.

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