Wasn't going to sit in the back
because she was black no more
wanted to sit in the front
like whites and that's for sure
as being in the same row (forget 'Jim Crow')
in fact her constitutional right
made them equal but frowned upon
looked down on by the white
while heading home after school
Claudette Colvin (born 1939) was on her way
from segregated Booker T. Washington High
March 2nd 1955 an auspicious day
when by the Highland Gardens bus driver
Robert W. Cleere she was sorely tested
then by two policemen handcuffed
tho' no laws were broken she was arrested
but discriminated against
later by the N.A.A.C.P.
as unmarried and pregnant at fifteen in Alabama
their poster child she could not be
but it was the start of segregation's end
on the Montgomery bus 'cross town
by this brave outspoken student
who stood up for her rights by sitting down
Island girl now of Purley
at youth shielded from Rock N Roll
she remembers the Supremes
Kick start those autumn leaves
You're a pillar of an ancient profession
This is no ruse
just plain thoughtfulness
You've handled my feet with perfection
you've bandaged my shin
always to the best of your ability
Women in my family
were immigrants, as history records.
Grandmother Rosamond was born in Italy.
Marceline was French and traveled from Lourdes.
My mother, Jaqueline, was wed at seventeen.
A city girl who became a young farmer's wife.
Many valuable traits from her, I did glean
as she taught me how to be prepared for life.
I would be terribly remiss if I forget to rave
about one more very important family female,
my sister, Claudette, who taught me to be brave.
She said, "Get up and try again each time you fail."
June 16, 2022
Women in my family poetry contest
Sponsored by Sotto Poet
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