NaPoWriMo 2013 Day Two ~ Sentenced to Pinches and Silence


Seven years old
and color blind.

“Why do those kids
always sit in the back
of the bus?”

A collective gasp
and a driver demanding,
“Shut that girl up!”

Curiosity sentenced
to pinches and silence.

Wide eyed innocence condemned
for not seeing black and white.



©Susie Clevenger 2013

Fireblossom over at Real Toads has us in
a time warp. The year is 1958. The little girl
in the poem was me.

Comments

Kerry O'Connor said…
"Shut that girl up!" A familiar response to those who dared to question the unfathomable. Some things are best left in the past.
LLM Calling said…
good for you, it's always the kids that show the way in abolishing discrimination, if we let them
Janine Bollée said…
Know what?
It took me a while to fathom what you were on about.
Lolamouse said…
Children's honesty and guilelessness is both a gift and a curse. Great job!
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Oh Susie, this poem says it all! It is perfect.
Kay L. Davies said…
Children are born blind to skin color, but their families teach them to see the differences.
Well done, Susie, very well done. I liked many things about the 1950s but discrimination wasn't one of them.
K
Unknown said…
Hard to believe that was so recent. You brought the scene to life, Susie.
Ellecee said…
Some parts of childhood weren't fun , finding out about prejudice is one of the tougher ones,,I was angry at my parents for not telling me about it,,,,I can feel your memory too,,
Helen said…
In the year 1958 I changed high schools ... my first experience with black classmates. I remember being intrigued, but never felt one bit of hesitation befriending several of the girls in my home room ~~ we all became good friends. Ah, it was good to be a teen in the 50s.
Beth Winter said…
Strong poetry that speaks loudly of the honest innocence of children as well as the disgusting cruelty of human kind. Wonderful work.
Maude Lynn said…
This is really good, Susie!
Kateri said…
Short and strong. If only we all could see with the eyes of a child.
Janine Bollée said…
Sorry, my comment seems a little unfeeling. What I meant was we didn't have that over here. The incomers were on the buses in a different way:Clippies and drivers and all was good natured.
Out of the mouths of babes. Looks like they didn't keep you silent for long. Good!