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Hidden Chains

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To celebrate the 90th birthday of the great Dr Maya Angelou, here is my own humble tribute:

 

Hidden Chains

 

The gilded few breeze through the days,

Don’t fear the night or hardship’s ways,

Unthinkingly waste nature’s gifts

And proudly steal the stars.

 

But those held fast by hidden chains

Can’t lift their eyes above their pains,

Survival supersedes all dreams,

Defiantly they cry.

 

And all enslaved invisibly,

Disabled by their poverty,

Resolve through love and passion

To throw back their heads to rage.

 

The one percent laze on the beach,

New toys and drinks in constant reach,

And never once take pause to think

Of blood that bought their wine.

 

The saddest sight in all the world

Are women, men, boys and girls

Who blindly, blithely masters serve

Yet think they have their freedom.

 

For those held fast by hidden chains

Can’t lift their eyes above their pains.

But in our hearts sing loud refrains -

And we shall find our voice. 

◄ Castaways

It Can't Be Bedtime Yet ►

Comments

Big Sal

Fri 13th Apr 2018 23:35

Not enough tribute poems to the poets that have left us. Maybe that's why very few, even in a circle of poetry, seem to know a fraction of poets not deemed popular. Good read.

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Laura Taylor

Thu 5th Apr 2018 16:38

A wonderful tribute to one part of my holy trinity of writers. How lovely.

Nitpick time ? I actually think you could lose that 4th verse and the poem be fine, even tighter. It doesn't scan quite as well as the others, and seems to introduce a contemporary/physical element that stands out from the spirituality of the rest.

Entirely up to you to pooh pooh my contribution, and no offence taken ?

<Deleted User> (13762)

Wed 4th Apr 2018 13:42

Excellent Chris. It is also the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr today. What a coincidence! She was very much involved with the civil rights movement in America and I have just learnt was the first black female streetcar conductor in San Francisco and at the age of 14 too. Your poem has a strong message and has the echo of voices from the past. Thanks very much for posting. Colin.

<Deleted User> (18980)

Wed 4th Apr 2018 12:58

Chris...like it but I have to admit being a complete ignoramus about Dr. Maya Angelou.

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