The Fence That Separates

Creative Commons ~ Photograph: S A Hooper


The fence that separates us
is nothing more than
a clothes line for your bigotry.

You hang your dirty laundry
on the division you have erected
by your prejudice
 and expect me
to bow in submission.

I stand tall in who I am
and will fight hate with love.
The bitter seed you plant
will not grow its weeds
in my spirit.

Go ahead, keep building
your fences with barbed-wire.
My voice will climb its thorny protrusion.
Love cannot be contained by perimeters of hate.



©Susie Clevenger 2012
 Mary Kling at Real Toads challenged us to use "fences" as the inspiration
for our writings. Check out the fence work at Mary's Mixed Bag ~ Fences


Comments

Ben Ditty said…
Powerful message and a great poem!
Mary said…
The poetic voice in this poem is a strong one. So true that love cannot be contained by perimeters of hate. And there are definitely ways around that barbed wire!
Scarlet said…
I like the use of clothes line and perimeters of hate ~ Well done Susie ~
Unknown said…
Love cannot be... what a powerful line, Susie, and a perfect ending to this metaphorical work.
Ellecee said…
A very powerful poem about the wedge prejudice creates. I like the line "the bitter seed you plant will not grow weeds in my spirit" and I pray it never does in mine. So well done.
Maude Lynn said…
Really strong voice! Well done!
Ella said…
Susie,
This was amazing! I loved it and could so relate~ I have been having some barbs in my wire and I so agree I won't grow hate~ Loved your imagery n' voice in this one :D
Kerry O'Connor said…
I'm so glad that this is one of the last poems I will read for this prompt. It sums up everything that has been learnt about the presence of fences, and tears them all down with love.
Adura Ojo said…
I love so many lines in this piece, Susan. 'Love cannot be contained by the perimeters of hate'...so powerful.
Kay L. Davies said…
I love that last line, Susie. Would that more people saw bigotry the same way.
K
Really strong statement in this. Wonderful!
Teresa said…
I absolutely love this! Love can truly conquor all!
Margaret said…
The whole thing is awe inspiring and I love the strength of conviction that rings out. The last line is a doozy.