Mrs. Yolanda Nicholsen Poet Naat

The Library That Harold Washington Built

we often walked by empty lot's of debris 
the daley's running the show 
as strong mines did grow
a civil rights movement

torn down bricks of knowledge
as we wander by the rail road tracks
broken glass and  unseen filth
covered the under path where pigeons feast

and bats creep out just around six
tires all burning pulluting life
as i read the empty paper bags
and torn clothing logos for in the mist

of the steam from under the city 
no it's not pretty gun shots ring out
the birds fly away as the umpire calls strike
i notice a good year blimp in the glimpse

of my view a voice says your mother is calling you
i close my mind for a second when a pipe burst 
under ground releasing the pressure of hell
the top read caution i walked backwards
pass the church that read mass at 8 and 12 
bible study i loved reading the bible our only book until
 leaving the cardinals a library now look

Written Mrs Yolanda Joy Nicholsen

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Judy Konos August 6, 2011 at 10:53 PM I will wait (for as long as it takes) to read your first novel and all others thereafter. You are extremely talented with the ability to put words to paper and make the reader feel that he or she is there. Thank you for posting this. I am saving it to my favorites....best, Judy Mrs. Yolanda Nicholsen March 29, 2024 at 8:44 AM Many blessings Mrs. Yolanda Nicholsen August 7, 2011 at 7:01 PM THANK YOU THIS PIECE I WROTE AFTER AFTER DALEY SR'S DEATH AFTER JANE BURN SHORT TERM AS MAYOR FINALLY HAROLD WASHINGTON A NEW MAYOR OF CHICAGO AFTER YEARS OFF WALKING THROUGH DEBRIS POVERTY TO FIND A PLACE TO READ AS A CHILD IT WASN'T UNTIL RETURNING FROM GERMANY 1983 I WAS ABLE TO WALK HAND IN HAND GETTING VOTES FOR OUR HAROLD A LIBRARY BUILT ACROSS FROM ST IGNATIOUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL WHERE THE CARDINALS SANG DAILY