Gershon Wolf Poet Couplet

Notes About The Poem

Although I am a conservative, I find nothing whatsoever worth conserving about slavery or discrimination based on race, color, or creed...   

Old Glory's Story

Old Glory's 
  sad story:

Flags did wave
  over slaves

Abe Lincoln freed 'em
  South wouldn't heed him

In the year of the Lord, 1955
  in the City of Houston, to my surprise

Signs read: 'No jews, blacks or dogs allowed'
  Read 'em and cried with my own eyes

2013 in Washington D.C.
  nearly 20% black illiteracy

When Confederate Flags today yet fly
  'Old Glory's Story' is somehow awry

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Robert Pettit April 11, 2021 at 11:18 AM That's the ugly truth about our country's recent history. You have written this one well.

Rico Leffanta April 7, 2021 at 11:47 AM Consider Mary Bybee, an "African American" daughter of a slave sired by either William Bibby or Thomas Scarborough in the 1620s: all of her offspring are more American than most Americans - certainly the Trumps! The pot calling the kettle black? Nice write, Gershon! Aloha! Rico Rico Leffanta April 8, 2021 at 11:15 AM Many of Mary's offspring held a family reunion before the civil war. A photo on the web shows they have different colours of skin with Asian, Arab, Indian, Native American, European, and very Polynesian features, i.e., the real Americans of the 17th & 18th century. Aloha! Rico Gershon Wolf April 7, 2021 at 3:29 PM Personally, I'd just like to see the end of 'hyphenated Americans,' such as 'Italian-American,' or 'Jewish American,' or 'African-American,' and such. Not a new idea. Teddy Roosevelt proposed over 100 years ago. Cheers, gw

Ilene Bauer April 7, 2021 at 10:08 AM well said, gershon! i don't think this hatred will ever disappear. so sad and so ignorant... Gershon Wolf April 7, 2021 at 3:31 PM I hear you, ilene. Unfortunately 'hate' can't be eradicated by legislation, nor can love be mandated by law... ;) gw

Geoffrey Brewer April 7, 2021 at 8:37 AM There have been and probably always will be stupid bigoted people around. I recall seeing signs on rooms-to-let in London 60 years ago: ‘No Blacks. No Irish’ and yet the majority of people I met at the time were good hearted and tolerant. Let us not judge a whole society by the attitudes of the few. Gershon Wolf April 7, 2021 at 3:34 PM Geoffrey, thanks for your comment...All I know is about the American South. In my late teens down there, I felt the visceral hatred -- as well as the stones thrown at me -- when Southerners saw my yarmulka. I finally put a baseball cap on at all times while I was down there. That was during the late 1960's in the 'Deep South,' (Mississippi and Alabama). ~ gw

Carolyn Devonshire April 7, 2021 at 8:05 AM I remember seeing signs on three restroom doors at a gas station in the South when I was a little girl. They were: Men, Women and "colored." I didn't understand then and still don't. We are all brothers and sisters. Excellent poem for my faves, Gershon! Hugs, Carolyn Gershon Wolf April 7, 2021 at 3:35 PM Yup, that's how it was, and how it would still be if not for the Civil Rights Movement and Legislation passed by the Johnson administration. Thanks for the FAVE, Carolyn. :) gw

Edward Ibeh April 7, 2021 at 4:59 AM Wonderful couplet, Gershon:-) Nicely done! Gershon Wolf April 7, 2021 at 3:36 PM Thanks for your support, Edward! Joy and Light, Gershon

John Gondolf April 7, 2021 at 4:50 AM Much truth in your words, Gershon. As a side note, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation ONLY freed the slaves in the southern states, the northern states were allowed to decide for themselves. Perhaps it was just a political move on his part. Hope all is well in your world. John Gershon Wolf April 7, 2021 at 8:27 PM Thanks for the reminder about Lincoln's Proclamation, John. I'd forgotten... And I believe that it was a very shrewd political move on his part, now that I recall it. After all, two years in the Civil War, Lincoln didn't have to worry about offending Southerners, so he freed their slaves. -- Yet he was more coy with the fragile Union he was trying to hold together. A savvy politico that man. :) gw

Caren Krutsinger April 6, 2021 at 9:44 PM This is SHOCKING to me! "In the year of the Lord, 1955 in the City of Houston, to my surprise" I had no idea! So naive I am!

L Milton Hankins April 6, 2021 at 8:29 PM I couldn't agree more, Gershon. Thanks for this important piece of good writing. Good stuff!