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.
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.
- Tanita Davis
- Rebecca Holmes
- Sara Lewis Holmes
- Kelly Ramsdell
- Laura Purdie Salas
- Liz Garton Scanlon
- Andi Sibley
This prompt is intriguing. Your poem definitely sheds light on those "determined to be heard" back then and still today. Wishing you and yours a very happy holidays. :)
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite thing here is the final couplet. It's perfection, really. Your mom was right. Oh, to be a fly on the wall.
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of in love with "bustled and rustled." Thank you! Happy Poetry Friday!
ReplyDeleteYes! I wish I'd been there, too.
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteOh! Love it! "Broke the law and marched on" is just CLASSIC. "She was warned... Nevertheless, she persisted."
ReplyDeleteDeep peace to you this day.❄️
I love the prompt, Tricia. And I love "who broke the law/then marched on". They did not stop, nor should we here ready to start a better 2021. Enjoy your holidays.
ReplyDeletePower to the women who broke the law/then marched on. Power to the women in every age and particularly in our own. Thank you for your post!
ReplyDeleteI love "bustled and ruffled risk takers rule breakers." Perfect.
ReplyDeleteI love how in just a couple of lines
ReplyDeletecorset wearing
bustled and ruffled
you give us the details that set these women instantly apart from modern women breaking rules. That makes it so real to me, and it makes their risks so much more...obvious, somehow. I'm inspired:>)
I love this poem. I am particularly fond of:
ReplyDelete"those resolute women
corset wearing
bustled and ruffled
risk takers
rule breakers
history makers" but the whole poem is terrific. Thanks for sharing it here.
Hooray for the rule breakers and risk takers!
ReplyDeleteTricia, with resolve the suffragettes broke the law and marched on as you so beautifully ended your poem. These women paved the way for a new world where everyone was provided the right to vote. From corset wearing to modern garb women have been integral in history. Happy Holidays.
ReplyDelete