Black Ivory Souls

...true story

Black Ivory Souls

It was “back in the day”

when black and white

was only allowed as piano keys.

To be attracted or in love,

was taboo

and yet for a short time

we laughed and smiled,

even dared to dance

black and ivory

skin to skin.

~~~

I wish I could have been bolder

back when

everything was changing.

But we both had our fears

and so just decided to be friends.

I always wondered 

what would have been;

where you went?

Did you too fight, like me

to make revolution

to put an end to bigotry?

~~~

Listening to this song

brought back 

in a flashing flood

how we giggled

at our first, nervous

lips touching

pounding blood kiss.

Black ivory,

world stopping

Ivory black souls

melting into one another.

And we knew 

it would be our last.

~~~

I wish I could have been

more courageous

back then J.J.

~~~redzone 10.7.14

Reviews

[AprilRN1210]

memories often have a way of bringing the what-if's with them... times when we shoulda, coulda, woulda done something we didn't have the courage or resolve to see through.. mine was a crush I had that I never approached.. come to find out years later, he had a crush on me too.. we were both too shy to talk to each other.. another lovely piece.. exquisite flow that danced along with the music beautifully.. I love the comparison in the imagery... vivid and moving.. has a sweet, nostalgic feel to it... awesome writing as usual..

[redzone]

Thanks April, sorry you missed (and him too) the chance... I think the distance between earth and the fartherest stars ciuld be filled with those woulda, coulda, shoulda things... have been really busy lately but glad I saw your wonderful review... you could say I shoulda and dida!!! ;0)

[AprilRN1210]

It was my pleasure and I'm glad you did:D

[Lydia Shutter]

Back then it just wasn't accepted...though in 1969 during race riots in my high school a black friend saved me. We were as close as we were allowed to be back then. Even if we are able, it is difficult to buck society....it is more difficult for a teenager. Great song to accompany your honest emotional memories here. What became of JJ? Makes one wonder if she still remembers that kiss....and the man who melted into her as she melted into him all those years ago. We witnessed a lot of change back then....but perhaps some of it was too little too late. I can not even tell you this is a "nice" one, Curt....it is moving, touching, and one I identify with. Lydi**

[Kat Leila]

This is so beautiful. As a product of such love , I thank you....for making me feel like a treasure and not a secret sin.

[redzone]

dear sweet Kat Leila, you are a treasure!!! Please, never allow anyone to tell you or make you feel like a "secret sin", never!!!
I am glad that this poem has touched you. Love comes in many diverse shades, colors and flavors, thank goodness. There will be a time in our journey where we will see each other as human beings, as eartlings, and where we have come from or the tone of our skin will not be stigmatized, but cherished for our humaneness. People of that time will look back at us and say, WTF were you all thinking??? Were you crazy??? People of today have a lot to do to get there, so what are we waiting for??? Let's go...
Thanks for your reading and for your review.
Curt/redzone

[Pryde Foltz]

A great poem with a message of unity and love and hope for the future. Things are changing … I live in Vancouver … and we are such a melting pot … my son goes to a preschool where there many faiths and skin colours represented. Right now he is over the moon smitten with a girl of mixed-heritage and there is no one to tell him no. Here's to a beige world;)

[willweb]

This poem was great. Takes me back to my school days when some situations were hidden but shouldn't have been. I really enjoyed this today.

[redzone]

thanks Will,... listening to this song and remembering, also has reminded me of the saying, "the more things change, the more they stay the same" and even 50 years later we are still fighting against the same bigotry.... I am glad this one affected you, thanks

[Sami Khalil]

Some songs can bring those wonderful memories and the challenges we all had growing up in certain times and societies. This one did such that to the narrator... No one can take that from us...An excellent one...

[redzone]

I learned alot from this "not being more bold and courageous" Sami, it has continued to fuel my desires for social equality. It's funny too, cause all I was doing was listening to some older cds I have and wham, her name just rushed into my mind.. lol Thanks for your time and comment Sami..

[Sami Khalil]

I understand. You are welcome...:).......................

[Lyn Anderson]

This poem gave me goosebumps. This is so passionate, so beautiful, so wonderful. I wish you could find out what happened to her.

[redzone]

just might this coming Sept. HS reunion and perhaps she will come and I can say HI, catch up. I know most of the people on the reunion committee so Might find out even before then. Thanks KL for your wonderful comment....