Pathetic.org  
 

Reserved Seating

by Kristina Woodhill


Rosa

Did you know your choice
Of seating
Now commands
An elevated price?
No back seat pew
For you
As folks who wish
To share your soulful
Resting place
must pay the added cost
Now asked

Lead on, Rosa!

You paid the price
Raised the standard
Put the foot
Calmly changed
the Face some thought
Should mirror only
One reflection
Your stonefast place secure
The living watches
Who will pay
To share
Your afterlife
Park bench



03/14/2006

Author's Note: A tribute to Rosa Parks, but probably more an observation of how the cemetery is perceived now that she is buried there.

Posted on 03/15/2006
Copyright © 2025 Kristina Woodhill

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Michelle Angelini on 03/15/06 at 04:54 AM

I enjoyed reading this tribute so much. Is Rosa a statue? Because that's the image I get. The form lends itself to liveliness and tenderness to someone you don't actually know, but imagine you do. One suggestion - move "an" in the first stanza and "the" in the second full stanza to the next line - leave the important words on the end.
~Chelle~

Posted by Brian Francis on 03/15/06 at 03:00 PM

You honor her well. What a life she had. What a woderful change she inspired. I wonder what she'd think of that park bench? Good work keep it up! -bf

Posted by Michelle Angelini on 03/16/06 at 08:19 PM

Kristina, good revision. I must have been in some kind of fog the first time I read this. It's actually all very clear. Would love to see this as POTD.
~Chelle~

Posted by Joan Serratelli on 03/16/06 at 09:29 PM

Such lovely images! I agree with Michelle. This deserves to be POTD- it's just so beautiful and though provoking. VERY good write.

Posted by Peter Humphreys on 03/19/06 at 12:36 PM

Kristina, this is such a beautiful poem and a fine tribute to a brave and remarkable woman. A favourite for me.

Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 03/19/06 at 06:51 PM

Bravo, Kristina! She still leads...

Return to the Previous Page
 

pathetic.org Version 7.3.2 May 2004 Terms and Conditions of Use 0 member(s) and 2 visitor(s) online
All works Copyright © 2025 their respective authors. Page Generated In 0 Second(s)