Richard Evans Poet Villanelle

Birmingham and Beyond

shepherds of the Lord demand unity
a voice through the written word came to say
tied to a lone garment of destiny

an eloquent plea for equality
scraps of paper led us to change and prayer
shepherds of the Lord demand unity

from a mountaintop we could see clearly
and what we saw brought us here today
tied to a lone garment of destiny

a clergy of scorn spurred our majesty
freedom penned within a Birmingham jail
shepherds of the Lord demand unity

through clubs, through canines, through fire hoses, we
stood audacious and forever became
tied to a lone garment of destiny

hatred set our minds and millions more free
as our children now enter the foray
shepherds of the Lord demand unity
tied to a lone garment of destiny

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James Inman June 22, 2024 at 8:35 AM I've read several of your poems Ricky and all have impressed me. I don't have much time to visit the Soup anymore, or to write but I'm glad I chose yours to read. Richard Evans June 22, 2024 at 4:42 PM James I recently self-published my first book of poetry over at Amazon.com entitled "Prosopography In Blue". Please consider adding my book to your collection. Be blessed...........peace! Richard Evans June 22, 2024 at 11:57 AM Thank you my friend. Your input means a lot to me. All the best.........................peace!

Line Gauthier February 13, 2021 at 8:56 PM A pleasure to find your beautiful poem published in the 2020 PS Anthology, Ricky~ Richard Evans March 17, 2021 at 12:35 AM Thank you Line. It's an honor to be recognized.

Paul Callus October 5, 2017 at 10:19 AM This expressive poem brings to mind the days of protests based on nonviolence, Christian love, and ML King. Regards // paul Richard Evans October 5, 2017 at 7:47 PM Most of the poems I write deal directly with my personal life but every now and then poems like this ooze out of me. Thanks for your support Paul. I really appreciate it.....................peace!

Patricia Cresswell September 26, 2017 at 4:44 PM Richard I don't not know the incident the spurred this write but Its tone reminds of the time that unions were beginning. The poor marching into hell at the hands of bullies who worked for the factories and business. The church speaking out against joining calling it a mortal sin. Although I may be way off on the cause for this poem. It lit old fires. Patricia Cresswell September 26, 2017 at 10:02 PM It s a good poem should feel good. Richard Evans September 26, 2017 at 6:30 PM This poem was inspired by the civil rights movement of the 1960's. It felt good to write this poem. Thanks for your support Pat.................peace!