10 June 2019

When So Many Wanted You to Stay Home (For Ruby Bridges)

Armed with only your books
and your unbelievably strong 
determination

You walked

The street was lined
with the angriest white faces
you had yet to see,
shouting things more vile 
than you could imagine

Still you walked

Hatred, fear, and ignorance 
stood side by side,
arm in arm,
to block your path

But you walked

Bombarded with slurs  
and threats of death

Yet you walked

A black baby doll
was placed in a coffin,
an unmistakable sign
of the danger ahead

And you walked

With more courage
than I can imagine,
facing depths 
of discrimination
I can’t even begin 
to comprehend

On you walked

Without a whimper,
without a tear,
when you were only six

You walked


14 Apr 2019




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