protest song
Good morning darling
Have you rolled up your sleeves
and washed your face?
Scraped yesterday’s muck out from under your fingernails?
Good.
Now,
Put on your best dress.
Comb every doubt out of your hair.
Find every pen and pencil, every sheet of lined paper, every clay tablet.
Gather your sisters and brothers.
Warm up your vocal cords.
Stretch your backs.
Clench and unclench your fingers.
Put on your sturdiest boots.
Lace them tight.
Square your shoulders.
Link arms.
Stand as tall as your spines will reach.
Lift your chins
and Sing
So Loud that no lie or tyranny or fear or consequence will ever shut our mouths
Ever again.
12 thoughts on "protest song"
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I so wish that I could comb the doubts from my hair, but I will strive! Thank you for this beautiful poem.
It’s so hard, and I’m genuinely afraid of what’s to come. But we need the poets & creatives now more than ever!
Yes, genuinely afraid is right! Thanks for the rallying cry.
Thanks Nancy! Thankful for all the kindred spirits out here!
I needed to read this today! Thank you! I have enjoyed your poems this month.
Thank you SO much Sylvia, I admire and have enjoyed your work as well! It’s been an honor and a joy to write alongside so many INCREDIBLE people this month :).
Your amazing poem makes me feel stronger–I think I will print it and keep it as a battle cry for each day! Thank you!!
Thank you Ann! I wrote it to encourage myself for sure! These are strange times…
Love this needed reminder and the energy in the lines!
Thank you Shaun!
Great details–lacing boots, linking arms. Recalls past and moves us now!
Thanks Sue! 😊