Hour of Shame

She heard her feet fall on the dirt.
The echo caused her heart to hurt;
and though she held her head up high,
she chose her fate for love to lie.

No shame could steal her pride away.
Stern puritans would have her pay.
Her sin she wore upon her chest.                 
The scarlet A defined her best.

This brave woman named Hester Prynne
forgave herself of her past sin.
Paraded ‘round town openly
with babe in arms for all to see.

Daughter named Pearl, a gift from God.
She felt forgiven, strong yet flawed.
The town became her own prison;
the woods, her walls, absorbed love’s sin.

Her choice to stay and not to run,
she made that day in light of sun.   
She'd never give the elders power
beyond penance of bridled hour.

She wore her "A" dutifully,
then laid with love eternally. 


By Rhonda Johnson-Saunders
For Giorgio's Iambic Verse - Recite and Analyze A Fictional Event, 2/15/15
*written in iambic tetrameter, couplet rhyme scheme.         
Event analyzed- When Hester Prynne is publically shamed and given her Scarlet Letter.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

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Reams Avatar
March 2, 2015 at 8:36 AM
Congratulations on a wonderful poem!
A  Avatar
February 27, 2015 at 10:36 PM
Rhonda, CONGRATULATIONS, on your Win :-) ~SKAT~
Allison Avatar
February 24, 2015 at 3:18 PM
dropping back with my congrats Rhonda - hugs Jan xx
A. Sharma Avatar
February 24, 2015 at 1:30 AM
Emotive write Rhonda,, wonderful expressions n a huge win! Big congrats!
Haight Avatar
February 23, 2015 at 7:15 PM
A very tragic event, Rhonda, and I was right there in your story-poem watching it unfold through your expressive words. Nicely done! Congratulations on your nice win. Hugs, Sandra
Sirak Avatar
February 16, 2015 at 8:10 AM
Astounding verse! It is so rhythmic and flowing and you told the story well
Callus Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 5:02 PM
How sad that things like that happened!! It was their shame, not hers! It was not their right to judge and condemn. Very expressive write, Rhonda. hugs // paul
Smith Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 3:51 PM
Well done Rhonda...love this story...hugs Tim
Eaton Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 3:49 PM
Wonderful Rhonda. Good luck in the contest. 7:)
Allison Avatar
February 15, 2015 at 3:38 PM
A wonderful tribute Rhonda - good luck in the contest:-) Hugs Jan xx 7 xx
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