Escape
Jean Hendrickson's poetry (Older, Wiser; Contributor Series 1: 9/11, Armageddon 9/11; and New Kid
immediately spring to mind) sometimes spins the world on its head. It
contains all the shock at the betrayals of this life but none of the
bitterness. It reads fresh and it feels genuine. This poem gives us
something to reflect on as we contemplate the life of Martin Luther
King, Jr, whose speeches were most assuredly poetic.
Escape
By Jean M. Hendrickson
Long after I should have known better,
I dared not deviate from mother's rules.
I wore her prejudices
like too-small clothing:
girls with
long hair are cheap
short hair, mannish
artistic girls, deluded,
athletic girls, unfeminine
smart girls, unattractive
popular girls, immoral.
Catholics are idolaters
Jews, heathens
Negroes, filthy
Mexicans, ignorant
Russians, communists
and all Japanese
are bandy-legged foreign devils.
One day I hopped a bus for the city
heard jazz, rock, opera
and jack hammers,
saw white, black, brown, yellow, red
men and women,
happy, dirty-faced children,
lovers entwined.
I smelled Thai, Mexican, and Cajun
Chinese, Italian, and Indian,
Kosher, Japanese, and Soul food,
smiled at strangers
entered a synagogue
—and a Catholic church
ate, breathed,
laughed, sang, and prayed
until I was full.
Escape
By Jean M. Hendrickson
Long after I should have known better,
I dared not deviate from mother's rules.
I wore her prejudices
like too-small clothing:
girls with
long hair are cheap
short hair, mannish
artistic girls, deluded,
athletic girls, unfeminine
smart girls, unattractive
popular girls, immoral.
Catholics are idolaters
Jews, heathens
Negroes, filthy
Mexicans, ignorant
Russians, communists
and all Japanese
are bandy-legged foreign devils.
One day I hopped a bus for the city
heard jazz, rock, opera
and jack hammers,
saw white, black, brown, yellow, red
men and women,
happy, dirty-faced children,
lovers entwined.
I smelled Thai, Mexican, and Cajun
Chinese, Italian, and Indian,
Kosher, Japanese, and Soul food,
smiled at strangers
entered a synagogue
—and a Catholic church
ate, breathed,
laughed, sang, and prayed
until I was full.
Posted by Annmarie at 1/18/2010 11:36 PM 
Categories: today's words
Tags: Jean Hendrickson prejudice awakening variety freedom
Categories: today's words
Tags: Jean Hendrickson prejudice awakening variety freedom
Jean, this was a beautiful way to end a poem that showcases an example of how to escape to find the truth.
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Thank you, Jeanette.
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This poem really says alot, Jean. I love it.
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I especially like the ending too. Very strong and fresh!
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Thank you for commenting on my poem, Bobbie. Don't you find writing itself a HUGE escape?
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Thanks so much Sarah!
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Jean,
What a fitting poem for Dr. King's birthday. And an extraordinary feast of words. Thank you.
Sharon
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I like this.
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