She Be But Little

It’s not about pretty or ugly – it’s about convenient. The dumpy girl who blends into the shadows always walks home from the library alone. She didn’t pay attention to the look he gave her when she bent down to pick up a pencil. She is not paying attention to who is standing outside the library now. What he forgets is that arms that can carry so many books are strong. And that a voice that whispers in a library is the loudest voice in the choir. She can sing loud enough to make church walls shake.

Silenced voices grow loud.
Rejecting shame that isn’t theirs,
they rise and break walls.




This poem was created for a prompt given over at Imaginary Gardens With Real Toads -  Wordy Thursday With Wild Woman: The Silence Breakers.

34 comments:

  1. This is incredible. Every new line strengthens resolve.

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  2. Fabulous, Rommy, the strong arms, the loud voice, and the brilliant haiku. Absolutely wonderful. Here in B.C., a Muslim woman was assaulted on public transit by a man who berated her hatefully, then tried to shove her head in his crotch. The other passangers all sat silent, except for one man who put himself between her and the assaulter and told him to get the f off the bus........the perp has now been arrested and charged. I am appalled at the bus full of people who sat in silence.

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    1. I share your dismay. But I am so happy that one brave soul took a stand.

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    2. Me too, Rommy. I like to think I would have stood up first, but don't know...I *am* sure I would have stood up second.

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  3. Bravo! Bravo! I love this character. I know her!

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  4. "They rise and break walls" -- love this! Be it so!

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  5. Rejecting shame that isn't theirs.... absolutely perfect... shame shall be were shame belong... finally.

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  6. Yes indeed. the strength in those arms and voice!

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  7. People are in the habit of making snap judgements about others based on gender and physical appearance. It is such a shame.

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  8. the last 3 sentences in the prose gave me chills, really good chills that scream, "Sing it, sister!" And your very human haiku is pure truth.

    I would love to see this as a short film. The music (and the emotions) would touch everything.

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  9. Such a great prompt, and such a great response to it. Your opening sentence is arresting in its truth and clarity. And I love the turning of the tables and the triumphant close.

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  10. Yea!! A poem to repeat strength into a heart.

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  11. Haibunilicious, Rommy! I know this woman. She's awesome, and you record her perfectly. Thanks.

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  12. Powerful, packs a punch and turns it on itself.

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  13. Blessed I have the opportunity to read this beautiful poetry from 2017. I love time travel. Your voice rings loudly and clearly, the song is lovely.

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  14. I really like rereading this one. I've always liked that girl. I can practically hear her voice, singing necessary quakes into the world.

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  15. "I am woman, hear me roar!" and kudos to the man with the cojones!

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  16. The silent breakers, we need more of them these days. And I even liked it more that the voice is that of a she in your poem. Bravo to her!

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  17. Strangely it was war that encouraged the emanicipation of women! With men fighting and dying somebody had to do the work to allow countries to still exist. It took a few thousand years for this to be achieved.

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  18. A strong woman that is and I love these powerfull lines
    "Rejecting shame that isn’t theirs,
    they rise and break walls" Fantastic

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  19. Powerful message in this one.We live in a shallow superficial mindless world !

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  20. well, he will be messing with the wrong person.
    yeah, arms that can carry so many books are strong.
    loved the message in this captivating haibun.

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