Visual Poet’s Thirty Days of National Poetry Month 2011; Forks of the Road Poem

On this day of National Poetry Month 2011; my poem, visual poetry Forks of the Road honors all of the souls sold into slavery at the Forks of the Road site in Natchez, Mississippi.   

Africa’s black ivory; Africa’s black ivory

The Natchez, Mississippi millionaires, code

Some down the river, as cargo, they did arrive

Others, shackled and herded thousands of miles

 

Somberly, one by one; their steps dragged and unfold

Many died; others made it, barely alive

But, they were sure to bring a fit piece of change

In pens, all were forcibly flowed

Once fattened, revived, greased and creatively clad

They were readied for sale, with new nightmares, soon to unfold

 

Many lives were forever altered with “Bought” and “Sold”

Feel the anguish as spirits stir and moan and salty tears they unload

Let us not forget the gut wrenching pain of our ancestors

As flesh was peddled and peddled at the Forks of the Road…

An Excerpt from Forks of the Road

Copyright by Deborah Young, Visual Poet

Visual Poet’s Thirty, 30 Days of National Poetry Month 2011; Determination Poem

On this day of National Poetry Month 2011; I honor the strength and resilience of women with my poem, visual poetry Determination  

...Misunderstood, yet, she stands   

Discounted, yet, she stands   

Rejected, yet, she stands   

She stands, stands, wiser 

She stands, stands, stronger...

An Excerpt from Determination           

Copyright by Deborah Young, Visual Poet

Visual Poet’s Thirty, 30 Days of National Poetry Month 2011; Determination Poem

On this day of National Poetry Month 2011; I honor the strength and resilience of women with my poem, visual poetry Determination  

...Misunderstood, yet, she stands   

Discounted, yet, she stands   

Rejected, yet, she stands   

She stands, stands, wiser 

She stands, stands, stronger...

An Excerpt from Determination           

Copyright by Deborah Young, Visual Poet

Visual Poet’s Thirty, 30 Days of National Poetry Month 2011; Momma, Mother’s Day Tribute Poem

On this day of National Poetry Month 2011; I honor my mother with my Mother’s Day Tribute poem, visual poetry Momma

Momma, I remember, you

Not one of us; your love, did we ever, doubt

You, most definitely set a sterling example

Of a mother, considerate and devout

Nobody, nobody was ever overlooked or went without

Not us kids, not daddy

No matter how much we would yell or pout

Not the woman who needed a coat

As she fled a husband's vicious shout

Not the homeless woman, looking for handouts

As she aimlessly wandered about

Not even, the man who escaped from a chain gang
Looking for food and a waterspout

Not one person in need

Did you ever, refuse to help out

With a personality such as yours

Disclosed in any given dossier

Momma, for you

There will be an eternal tribute on display

A tall, elegant, crystal vase

Filled with a gigantic, colorful, fragrant

Tea rose bouquet

For, you will always be a beautiful

Chic, classy, compassionate mother, I say

Momma, I remember you clearly

As if, it was yesterday...

Excerpt from Momma

Copyright by Deborah Young, Visual Poet

Visual Poet Concerned About Mississippi River Flooding 2011

Having been born and raised in Natchez, Mississippi; the Mighty Mississippi River has always played an intricate role in my life.  Each time I have returned to Natchez; I immediately visit the Bluff to check on My Mississippi River.  Therefore, today I pause to honor the Mighty Mississippi River with my poem The River, while listening to Mr. Charley Pride’s song Roll on Mississippi. 

As the Mississippi River swells; causing major to record flooding; I am concerned for the welfare of those in Memphis, Helena, Arkansas City, Greenville, Vicksburg, Natchez and other areas.  Natchez, Vicksburg, Greenville and Tunica are the only Mississippi cities with bridges over the Mississippi River.

Natchez Mississippi is the City on the Bluff and the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River.  In 1714 the French settled on the high bluffs and surrounding area and two years later a permanent fort was established.  Even though the Mississippi River is rising; there is no chance of Natchez flooding.  Natchez sits on a bluff approximately 150 to 200 feet above the Mississippi River.  But, because the Natchez Under-the-Hill is situated below the main city area; it could experience flooding as the river rises.
   

Many have traveled your deep, murky, uncertain waters

Bursting with remnants of the past and present

Your banks poised with promises of pleasure and danger

All hail, the alluringly mysterious, Mighty Mississippi

The Nile of the South; worthy of the utmost, respect…

Excerpt from The River

Copyright by Deborah Young, Visual Poet