January 27, 2017

Poetry Friday--"women's march 2017"

I've been a bit distracted lately and thought about skipping Poetry Friday this week, then a line popped into my head and it turned into a poem. (Funny thing, that original line is no longer there!)


© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved. Remarkably, the photo of the suffragists picketing the White House was taken on January 26, 1917! The photo of the marchers in Boston was taken by me on Saturday, January 21.

Text:

women's march 2017


again we march--
a century after
the obdurate
the brave

suffragists marched
for the right to vote

again we march--
50 years after
the defiant
the resolute

feminists marched
for equal rights

again we march
and again we'll
march--

until fear is defunct

and there are no -ists
just humans


Head over to Beyond LiteracyLink where Carol is hosting the Round-Up this week.
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22 comments:

  1. Carol VarsalonaJanuary 26, 2017 at 10:08 PM

    Diane, I am glad that you were inspired to create one of your inspirational image poems. I am glad that I know the backstory of who the "ist" is. "Until fear is defunct"-a powerful line.

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    Replies
    1. Diane MayrJanuary 26, 2017 at 10:48 PM

      Thanks Carol. Isn't "defunct" a fun word?

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    2. Carol VarsalonaJanuary 27, 2017 at 9:41 AM

      Yes, Diane, it is a word to use in the future and hope that fear does become defunct.

      Delete
  2. Brenda at FriendlyFairyTalesJanuary 26, 2017 at 10:18 PM

    Yay, Diane! I smile to see you pointing to history. I saw a sign that said "My Arms Are Tired From Holding This Sign for Fifty Years!"

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  3. Linda BJanuary 26, 2017 at 11:54 PM

    I can't remember the book now, but I've read one nf story about the challenges of the suffragettes, what they endured for us. Your poem ending in hope is lovely, Diane, and yes, I too love that word "defunct".

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  4. michelle koganJanuary 27, 2017 at 12:24 AM

    Thanks for your rousing poem and spirit, we need a lot of each on the road ahead!

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  5. April Halprin WaylandJanuary 27, 2017 at 2:46 AM

    "Mr. President--you said Liberty is the fundamental demand of the human spirit"--ah...if only our president believed this.

    Thank you for your pairing of image and poem--both wonderful, Diane.

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  6. Jane @ www.raincitylibrarian.caJanuary 27, 2017 at 2:50 AM

    It does feel like we've been passed a torch to carry on, from all the pioneers and trailblazers who marched before us, to earn us the rights and freedoms that we all too easily take for granted. We can only hope that one day we won't be able to march any more!

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  7. KayJanuary 27, 2017 at 7:47 AM

    Yes! We are still marching and will march "until fear is defunct." We can also take inspiration and courage from those who have gone before as your poem so aptly reminds us.

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  8. Donna SmithJanuary 27, 2017 at 9:51 AM

    I find it intriguing that the original line is gone. I've had that happen more than once myself. Quite the phenomenon!

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  9. jamaJanuary 27, 2017 at 11:06 AM

    It's good to remember our indebtedness to those who marched in the past for the rights we too often take for granted today. Thanks for the rousing poem!

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  10. Bridget MageeJanuary 27, 2017 at 12:25 PM

    "Again we march..." Yes, Diane, we march in a show of love and solidarity. Thank you for this poem and your postcard poem. =)

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  11. Linda MitchellJanuary 27, 2017 at 4:57 PM

    I LOVE this. I love the hat tip to the incredible women that marched before us and your words for today. You give me hope. Poets on the front line!

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  12. Irene LathamJanuary 27, 2017 at 6:36 PM

    Diane, have you seen the movie SUFFRAGETTE? We have so much to be grateful for -- all those brave, strong women who have come before us. Thank you for your poem!

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  13. BJ LeeJanuary 27, 2017 at 8:04 PM

    Great line breaks! Thank you for marching, Diane!

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  14. Margaret SimonJanuary 27, 2017 at 8:08 PM

    I am finding solace in poetry. I am proud that you marched and then wrote this poem. We will rise!

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  15. Sally MurphyJanuary 28, 2017 at 12:38 AM

    I love this. So glad you were inspired by that lost line to share this.

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  16. Mary LeeJanuary 28, 2017 at 8:12 AM

    Brilliant.

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  17. Heidi MordhorstJanuary 29, 2017 at 7:07 AM

    So important to know what came before--today we see what happens when people are ignorant. I'm finding it so hard not to blames our schools, myself.

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  18. Michelle Heidenrich BarnesJanuary 29, 2017 at 1:04 PM

    Feeling empowered by your poem, Diane. Such a powerful ending, especially—

    until fear is defunct

    and there are no -ists
    just humans

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  19. Matt Forrest EsenwineJanuary 31, 2017 at 7:36 AM

    Jen had wanted to go to the march in Concord, but couldn't - glad you gained some inspiration from it!

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