Short Selma Poems

Seeing Selma On Knees

Remember seeing Selma on their knees,
Then they were being called Selmanese,
Bridge being by;
Tears to supply,
With poverty flowing through the trees.

Jim Horn...

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Be gracious
A smile is just for you
When happy or when blue.
Just wear it on your face
It will sooth the pace
It shines in the eyes
 It has no antidote and 
It twilight in the skies.
Our passion lasts if we kiss it
And it confesses.
Just smile.

             (Selma Imene Kapiye)...

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Got to meet my aunt's good friend
I've heard so much about.
She helped to make the birthday bash 
More special, there's no doubt.

She's got that spark that never fades 
With certain genes and luck,
Creating a delightful soul
With smarts and lots of pluck.

How lovely for my Aunt Sydelle 
To have somebody who,
Like Selma, has it all together,
Still, at 92....

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Where is Selma? I asked her mother.
You won’t believe me.
I might.

Reading in her nest.
I thought her mom meant her bed.
But her bed was empty.

Her mom led me to the den.
Selma was sprawled out, reading her I-pad.
Her body was lounging on top of pillows shaped like eggs
They were reposing on an overstuffed nest.

I thought I was spoiled! I said.
Selma laughed....

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Morehouse grad who reached the heights.
Activist for civil rights.
Rhetor, rebel, reverend.
Toiled to segregation end.
In nonviolence believed.
Nobel Prize for Peace received.


Lincoln's words inspired his theme
Uttered in "I have a dream."
Thousands march to Selma led.
Husband who Coretta wed.
Evils tried to remedy.
Rests with brothers Kennedy.


Killed by bigotry and hate.
Inner spirit celebrate.
Name today immortalized.
Greatness that too early died....

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