A Poem - Short, But Way Too Long

today may hold different forms, but the oppression is still the same... "god DAMN!!

A Poem -

Short, But Way Too Long

***This poem was written while reading a

book, “Freshwater Road”, by Denise Nicholas.

It is a wonderfully rich, deep look at the 

horrors that have shaped Black folks lives

in America. And yes, these horrors 

continue today.***

1.

Miss sippi,

back woods

pine filled

country.

Pineyville,

home of Leroy Boyd James,

lynched

1959.

Pineyville,

in the deep South

where black bones lay

on river bottoms

cause the current

didn’t carry them away;

or lay, in unmarked graves.

Disappeared

under soggy,

red soil,

under pine needles

weighed down

by horrors unnamed

and people hold memories

silently inside.

“Miss sippi,

god damn.”

“God damn 

Miss sippi.” *

2.

If only trees could talk,

they could tell 

how crushing summer heat,

air stealing thunder storms,

were not worth mentioning

compared to the way

Black folks

couldn’t even

hold up their heads

without getting beat,

or worse.

If trees could talk,

they could tell

how white teens’

Friday night fun

was shooting 

into Black folks homes.

They could testify

that anytime,

for any reason,

or no reason at all,

nooses bearing 

Black skinned fruit

would swing from their limbs.

White death

always held its arms

around Black folks shoulders,

like they was 

good friends.

If only tress

could balk

at bearing human fruit.

Better yet,

strike down

any attempt.

3.

Miss sippi like

New York,

Pennsy vanee,

Ill nois,

Cali fornee,

Flo ida;

like 

Ken tukee,

Mary land,

Vir ginie,

Ala Bam,

no place to be free.

God Damn.

4.

At least not yet.

It will take a revolution for that.

~~redzone 3.31.13

* NOTE: I used “Mississippi god damn” which comes 

from the Nina Simone song of the same name. 

I borrowed her words cause I felt they captured

both the feeling she was expressing, and I was 

trying to portray in writing this poem. I hope

I did justice to Nina with these words.

 

   

Author's Note

thanks for reading...

Reviews

[Eve S.]

I appreciate the choice of a so touching issue, and the way it was so beautifully tackled. Strong words, deep thoughts, so stimulating, and sharp!

I was moved.

The human soul has no colors.

Peace!

[Sami Khalil]

A very touching poem and a history lesson on the civil rights movement and even before all of that. Your words give greater urgency and power to change our hearts from prejudice and embrace humans as humans. Excellent message...:).............

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this made me tear up...and get so angry...similar to my reaction each time i watch "mississippi burning"

i hate prejudice...how can we feel superior as a race? how can anyone feel he or she is better than anyone else...we are all simply people.

this is so well written...so well written.

jacob

[K.N. Lorenzen]

I was so moved by this poem, redzone!! You told this horrible (his)story so chillingly well! The fragmented "flash"-format, emphasised the cynicism and violence of it all. There is so much empathy in your depiction and description. I'm sorry, but this goes to my favorites.
Very touching and impressive write!
And you gotta be a cold f****r, if Nina Simone doesn't touch your heart :)

K.

[redflutterby]

Nina Simone...sigh.... yes you did justice to her words dear Curt. Being from a state where we have our own ugly history of rascism I felt these words deeply. The fact that my sisters children are biracial makes it even more significant. While things have changed drastically there are still those that harbor hatred simply because of the color of ones skin. This poem is the voice of the ghosts of a terrible past....poignant my friend.

[redzone]

Thanks Red, I think these changes (including a Black Prez) only put window dressing on a much deeper social problem. Even if the government wanted to change these horrors, (and they don't), they couldn't. The oppression of Black folks is a "core value" of American society. We don't have old Jim Crow, we have New Jim Crow, blue uniforms and white wannabe police or "town watch" replace the KKK. mass encarceration and police murder IS also a "core value"... "there would be no U.S. as we know it, without slavery. this is a simple and basic fact"... And the horror that your sister and millions of others face on a daily basis does not have to be this way...

In 1854, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, that Black people have no rights that white people have to respect and we see the same verdict in the case or Travyon Martin and more recently Jerome Davis. I was so happy that Twelve Years A Slave won best picture award.. finally someone made a film countering the "official narrative around slavery and millions saw the truth of what america has always stood for.... guess I get carried away around this, but I have not really even scratched the surface or what horror this is and represents... I really appreciate that you read and commented Red, it made me feel more like we actually have a chance to do better and change this...

[redflutterby]

Youre welcome Curt.... I havent seen that movie yet but I hope to soon. And we never get carried away when we feel something with deep conviction. Using your words helps others to see the problems that exist and hopefully inspires a change within their own daily actions.

[Frieda P]

I love Nina Simone, almost as much as I adore you and your poetic sense curt. Not a perdy poem, albeit you captured the essence of this sad tale with finesse, as only your pen can do. I like your story within your poem, 'short but way too long' speaks volumes. This one screams off the page & sista Sadie would agree with me, I think.... Great read my dear friend.

[redzone]

no, its not "perdy" as you say... the poem or the reality... I wrote a long note to Red above so I won't repeat but I want you to know that your words about this poem really do mean alot, not just to me (though they truly do) but in a much broader way, to people everywhere. I know lately my poetry has been mostly centered on squishy heart things.. ;o).. but I think we (me mostly) need more poetic expressions like this poem. hopefully done better, with more artist verve, but exploring many different aspects of life and challenge the way people see things, artistically of course and not preachy.. anyway I really appreciate you Frieda, your opinions, your artistic flair and poetic style, YOU...

[Frieda P]

We need a bit of both, all, to round us out as human beings curt, you know I abhor injustice more than anything, and these kind of reads just rip me to the deepest part of my core. You're a sweetheart, and I could read your words if they were about pure drivel, I'm sure you could put your curt spin on it. ;-) Always my pleasure dear friend.

[redzone]

Hmmmm, a Curt spin ... ok roses are red, violet's blue, I love you, I love you, I love you, whoa there's "dizzy with drival "... see what happens when I spin Frieda ... :-p. But mostly ;0)

[Frieda P]

I wrote a rant since you sent me into a tizzy, just my own gut wrenching drivel...thanks for stirring the pot! ;-P