Well I still have not finalized this one, but still am not happy with it either but since today is the anniversary (9/4/1957) I thought I'd mention it and re-post it in it's current form.
(posted previously about a year ago ..
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...&postcount=826)
Nine Little Rocks
Ernest, Gloria, Carlotta,
Jefferson, Elizabeth, Thelma,
Terrance, Minnijean,
and Melba were the nine.
Their narrow shoulders carried
the weight of their race and
the burden of history 1957
as they climbed Central High School’s
concrete steps that
pregnant day in September.
The angry and violent crowd
and its threats caused the nine
to be brought swiftly into and
through the school without stopping
to the rear doors where they were
whisked away the first day.
The second day, less protest but
neither an end. They were
cursed at, spit upon
tormented and taunted
by other-skinned classmates
and by the public at large.
They must have had
stone-like courage
to return day after day
enduring the torment
doing the homework,
again and again to a place
despised and unwanted.
But they did persevere
those brave young souls
for their race and humanity
and into history they went.
Ernest was first graduating complete
others followed
and more came along
a rising tide
from the days of evil
toward the days of hope.
Kenny A. Chaffin - 9/5/2011
For background see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Rock_Nine