My Grandmother's Grandmother's Sister
She's hung on the wall for years
Peering down at me with those
Dark brown squinting eyes
As if knowing what it takes
To make strong women
Out of hopeless, beaten girls
Leaning on the arm of a chair
Feet planted in a hope everlasting-like stance
She demands
Attention
She wears a black overcoat
Like strength
Standing with her back straight
Like she's strong
Like her struggles have been wide and long
And even though she's been long gone
She still speaks to me
As if generations create
No barriers between us
And wisdom can flow free
As my freedom
That she fought for
Her lips are pressed shut
A double doorway
Into history
She says to me,
"Stay strong
Back straight
Chest out
Chin up
I ain't never seen somebody
So willing to give up
So don't call yourself my look alike
Or beget another of my namesakes
If you don't know how to fight."
Published by Shana Barrett
Shana Barrett was born in Oakland, California and raised in Spencer, Oklahoma. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Oklahoma City University. She is currently contemplating graduate school as well a... View profile
- Pie Without the Crust: A Memoir of my MotherHappy Mothers Day
- How a Simple Prayer Changed My Life!Its a Story On believing and Prayer!
- Strength Training for Fencing: Part IIn the past, strength training for fencers was relegated to the same status that bacon was for dieters; it was a no-no! These days, fencers are beginning to see the value of resistance training.
- Secret Clinical Strength AntiperspirantSecret Clinical Strength Antiperspirant is a fantastic product by Secret. Secret will send you a free sample to prove this.
- The Benefits of Strength Training for SeniorsWhile there is no such thing as the fountain of youth, strength training can prevent and even reverse some of the effects of aging Deterioration of the physical state is as much a result of inactivity as nature.
- Death of My Grandmother
- Memphis, Tenn., Storm Rips My Ceiling Away
- A Survivor, My Best Friend, My Mom
- Digging Up Bones: Why My Family History Means More Than that to Me
- My Sadest Christmas
- How My Garden Helped Me to Heal
- A Walk in My Shoes
1 Comments
Post a CommentShana: You are an amazing poet! I am so glad I stumbled onto your page. Your poetry reminds me of one of my old classmates. She had that same strong voice and passion that burns through your writing. LOVE IT!!!