MARGARET D. STETZ

         For Alice Dunbar Nelson, 1875-1935          

Who ranks bruises
judges
which marks
are more hurtful, lasting—
her husband Paul's
black hands
around her
throat
or many million white ones
encircling, pressing,
threats
of rope
around her neck?
white fingers too
of editors
plucking
at her words
then squeezing
and suppressing…
how did she keep
her voice
so firm yet
light?
her calls for
suffrage
without complaint
of suffering
while long before
the color
purple
sang
a secret love for
women
whispered through
the beauty of her
Violets

 

 

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