Capping the Year With My Poetry Sisters - Wistful Poetry

It's our last challenge for 2020, which this time around  was to write to the theme of "Wish I'd Been There," or to an historical event that incites wistfulness. I'm not sure the event I've chosen incites wistfulness, but this event reminds me of something my mother often said, "Oh, to be a fly on the wall." Or as Burr proclaims in Hamilton, "I wanna be in the room where it happens." 

Let me take you back to 1872 in Rochester, NY. 

Clipped from the Brooklyn Union newspaper, 5 Nov 1872

I'm not sure this poem is finished yet, but it's a start.

November 5th, 1872 - Election Day

I've always admired 
those resolute women
corset wearing
bustled and ruffled
     risk takers
     rule breakers
     history makers
who cast their votes
for Ulysses S. Grant
pushed the boundaries
of the 14th amendment
determined to be heard
who embraced fully
the word citizen
with all the rights
it implied
who broke the law
then marched on

Poem ©Tricia Stohr-Hunt, 2020. All rights reserved.

You can read the pieces written by my Poetry Sisters at the links below. We're missing a sister or two, but they'll be back for other challenges. 

• Tanita Davis
• Rebecca Holmes
• Sara Lewis Holmes
• Kelly Ramsdell
• Laura Purdie Salas
• Liz Garton Scanlon
• Andi Sibley

I do hope you'll take some time to check out all the wonderful poetic things being shared and collected today by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. Happy poetry Friday friends! Sending you all wishes for a happy holiday season and much awaited new year.