Colour

My first doll
smelled like chocolate
and her skin
just as dark
I adored her

Innocent as I was
I could have
never imagined
anyone remotely
resembling
my precious doll
could have been
committing
the equivalent of a crime
punishable
by the worst
kind of persecution
and abuse

Whoever bought
me that beautiful doll
was making damn sure
there would be
one less dirty bigot
in this bizarre world
we live in

Ever so proudly
as I clenched to my heart
my best little friend
I was blissfully unaware
I was making a statement
back in dark days of 1962



Read on air by invitation  ~  August 28, 2022  'POETS HARBOUR'

AP: Honorable Mention 2021

Submitted on January 11, 2018 for contest WHAT IS WHITE? sponsored by DEBBIE GUZZI  -  RANKED 10th

and on October 4, 2017 for contest AN OCTOBER PREMIERE sponsored by BRIAN STRAND

black african americandiscriminationinnocencefree verse

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Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/13/2018 6:34:00 PM

Yes, those were such dark times, Line. I am glad she was a precious doll to you. I remember a parent looking at me funny when I got a doll like that for my daughter once. what a world we live in. Congrats for this being your best poem (It's good, but for me it's not the very best of all your writing) Already we can see this list has come about from your getting more reads and faves with those poems that appear on it. That is the beauty of winning contests and getting one's poems READ here!

Line Gauthier
Date: 4/13/2018 8:40:00 PM

Thank you so much, Andrea.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/13/2018 6:29:00 PM

well well well, I think seeing best poems will work out well. Normally I see a lot of poets' "best poems" list because I cannot find enough poems of theirs to reply to.Since you have so many I've not seen, this might be a good way to see some of your best works. So I begin with this one, which got a placement with Deb Guzzi. DId it win with Brian?

Line Gauthier
Date: 4/13/2018 8:41:00 PM

Thank you so much for reading so many of my poems, I so appreciate it, Andrea.

James Horn

Date: 1/27/2018 6:13:00 PM

Colour is abbreviation for a collection of lure. Did have doll meaning so much; Held her and did closely clutch, And doll to me, Lovely would be; Had started to feel her soft touch.

Line Gauthier
Date: 1/27/2018 9:44:00 PM

Thank you for your poetic offering. Lovely, James. Most appreciated.

Joseph May

Date: 1/27/2018 5:30:00 PM

Congrats on your win Line..

Line Gauthier
Date: 1/27/2018 9:43:00 PM

Thank you, Joseph. Much appreciated.

Sathya Babu

Date: 1/25/2018 9:07:00 PM

Many congrats Line on your win......nice read..... Regards, Sathya

Line Gauthier
Date: 1/26/2018 4:26:00 AM

Thank you, Sathya. Much appreciated.

Sandra Haight

Date: 1/25/2018 7:19:00 PM

An amazing poem, Line. And even more amazing that it was real! I got goosebumps reading it! Congratulations on your placement in the contest. A Fave for me. Hugs, Sandra

Line Gauthier
Date: 1/25/2018 8:12:00 PM

Thank you so much, Sandra. I really appreciate that you connected with my poem. Best wishes. Line xx

Roy Pett

Date: 1/25/2018 3:21:00 PM

Congratulations on your well deserved win Line, really enjoyed reading your beautifully written poem, a joy to read. :))

Line Gauthier
Date: 1/25/2018 4:36:00 PM

Thank you so much, Roy. Very appreciated.

Eve Roper

Date: 1/24/2018 10:37:00 PM

Line, congratulations on your win! Very powerful write and I bet was a beautiful doll that got its wear. Hugs Eve ~`*

Line Gauthier
Date: 1/24/2018 11:22:00 PM

Thank you, Eve. I was a beautiful doll and she smelled like chocolate. So sweet.

Debbie Guzzi

Date: 1/23/2018 8:31:00 PM

Whoever gave you that doll really did as you say give you a gift. What we learn early comes easy in our innocence, later it is much harder to change our paths. It's a pleasure to meet you! Congrad's Light & Love

Line Gauthier
Date: 1/23/2018 9:31:00 PM

Indeed, Debbie. Thanks for your much appreciated contest.