Constance La France Poet Free verse

Words Are Weapons

in my life-
some    have tried to murder my spirit-
to assassinate my soul
with their single-mindfulness

nincompoops    mean and nasty

torture   brutal massacres relentless
running home for love
mothers arms
and kisses

from childhood to a young woman

I have found my ink
and I send poems    wide    and far
my soul bleeding

my crime for those with tunnel vision
I am part Ojibway-
in a world ruled by white

always different   but not in poetry
except for some-
who come to kill my words
     slaughter my poetic soul
        murder what I love

nincompoops    mean and nasty

sometimes I am befuddled
     I stumble
         crumble
           crumple
               puzzle

words are weapons
leaving      forever deep scars

my house may be weather-stained
my garden ravaged
but the wheels of time have rolled

now, I have a strength unfathomable
a pride no one can kill
or slaughter

those who have words of misery
stay in your tunnels of hate
with your tunnel-vision

for I am an Ojibway girl proud
with flowing hair like a streaming river
        and poetic spiritual soul
and the grandfather spirits in the sky
will ever and forever be my protectors

and I fly with eagles . . . 

_______________________
January 28, 2021


Poetry/Free Verse/words are weapons
Copyright Protected, ID 01-1324-456-28
All Rights Reserved, 2021, Constance La France


Written for the Premier contest, Murder in the Tunnel
sponsor, Kai Michael Newmann, Judged 02/12/2021

Fourth Place

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Unseeking Seeker February 14, 2021 at 6:09 PM Wow! Fabulous write, fiery spirit! Congrats on your win! Constance La France February 14, 2021 at 8:12 PM Seeker, thank you so much for the compliment and the congrats _Constance

Paul Marc February 14, 2021 at 9:43 AM Beautiful poetry. Are you familiar with Richard Wagamese? Constance La France February 14, 2021 at 11:14 AM PM, thank you for the visit and compliment, I am familiar with Richard, an Ojibway author and journalist from northwestern Ontario. (RIP) He had a similar history as my grandmother, taken from his family to white foster care and later in life both finding their roots and culture _Constance

Eve Roper February 13, 2021 at 6:15 PM Great write, Constance, so many nincompoops out there. Congratulations on your win. Hugs Eve Constance La France February 14, 2021 at 9:41 AM Eve, thank you so much for the compliment and the congratulations, yes lots and lots of nincompoops _Constance

Jo Chamberlain February 12, 2021 at 10:26 AM I love your take on this contest, very original. Congratulations on your winning placement. Constance La France February 12, 2021 at 4:18 PM Joanna, thank you for the compliment and the congratulations _Constance

Mystic Rose Rose February 12, 2021 at 9:52 AM You have fire in your spirit dear friend, and never let that flame expire, congrats on your win, wonderfully expressed in every way. Constance La France February 12, 2021 at 4:19 PM Mystic, thank you so much for that wonderful comment and the congrats and compliment _Constance

Anne-Lise Andresen February 12, 2021 at 7:16 AM - I really enjoy reading this poem, Constance ... words are weapons ... yes, sharp weapons ... I love the last verse :) - Congratulations on your win :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :) Constance La France February 12, 2021 at 8:49 AM Anne-Lise, thank you for the congratulations, thank you for the compliment, I love the last verse too and the last line ... and I fly with eagles _Constance

Linda Alice Fowler February 12, 2021 at 7:04 AM This is very moving Constance. And a fav for me. Congratulations on the win! Linda Constance La France February 12, 2021 at 8:50 AM Linda, thank you for the congratulations and the compliment and the FAV, appreciate so much _Constance

Alexis Y. February 12, 2021 at 6:33 AM Hi BW, I'm just coming back to say congratulations on your win. It was well deserved. Have a wonderful day:-) Alexis Constance La France February 12, 2021 at 8:50 AM Alexis, thank you so much for the congratulations and the compliment _Constance

Rama Balasubramanian February 12, 2021 at 5:54 AM Tunnel vision, tunnel of hate and how you fly through poetry. This is awesome write. Congratulations on your premier contest win. Take care Rama Constance La France February 12, 2021 at 8:51 AM Rama, thank you for the great comment and the congratulations _Constance

Kai Michael Neumann February 12, 2021 at 3:38 AM An epic reminder of history. Congratulations, Kai Constance La France February 12, 2021 at 8:52 AM Kai, thank you for another great theme and contest and for my fine placement and for the comment and congratulations, appreciate a lot _Constance

Robert Pettit January 28, 2021 at 5:56 PM More of the quality work I have come to expect from you. Constance La France January 29, 2021 at 9:40 AM Robert, thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot to me _Constance

Jack Horne January 28, 2021 at 1:21 PM awesome write, my friend - I especially like the hair like a flowing river line. Thanks for the place in your contest Constance La France January 28, 2021 at 5:33 PM Jack, thank you for the compliment and the great comment, appreciate _Constance

Jack Horne January 28, 2021 at 1:20 PM awesome write, my friend - I especially like the hair like a flowing river line. Thanks for the place in your contest Constance La France January 28, 2021 at 5:34 PM Jack, thanks for the compliment and I like that line too . You are welcome on your win _Constance

Rico Leffanta January 28, 2021 at 10:41 AM In Paris, I observed two Americans bump into each other, and curse each other for not looking where they were going until they realised they were both Americans. After a few minutes discussing what they shared in common, they focused on their differences and departed despising each other. Its best to avoid people who focus on differences! Aloha! Rico Constance La France January 28, 2021 at 11:00 AM Rico, I have known bullying all my life and I do not especially look Ojibwe even, some kids at school were calling me Indian princess but not in a nice way , I told my dad and he said, to say thank you and walk away, so I did. Why do people hate each other because of differences, I feel blessed that I have no such prejudice within me, thank you so much for visiting and commenting _Constance

Alexis Y. January 28, 2021 at 9:34 AM WoW! BW, This is a good take on the contest theme. I can relate to the subject matter. I, too, have been hurt by vicious words throughout my life. I liked the shift in the latter portion of your well-written write; it showed much strength like a strong warrior. Kudos to you for finding your voice and becoming an overcomer. I admire you from afar. Best wishes in the contest. Have a great day.This is going straight into my favs:-) Alexis Constance La France January 28, 2021 at 11:02 AM Alexis, thank you so much for the fav and comment, yes, if anything good came of the bullying, it is a strength within me unfathomable, I can weather any storm it seems for my roots are planted deep _Constance

Beryl Edmonds January 28, 2021 at 9:11 AM Constance I can’t believe you have been so hurt and scarred in the past as you have described here in this free verse poem, or that people can be so downright rude. I’m so pleased you’ve risen above all that and realised you are beautiful inside and out, we’re all made from one mould with all the same working parts, if only everyone had goodness of heart the same as you do. Belle Constance La France January 28, 2021 at 11:04 AM Belle, thank you so much for visiting and commenting, I don't know why people are so mean, one thing I do know is that bullies are really cowards and if a person being bullied can find the strength to stand up to them they have no power anymore _Constance