Dry (Warning harsh lyrical content & image) (poem) by Mitzi Kay Jackson on AuthorsDen

Reviewed on April 2, 2005

I'm glad you wrote this, and I'm especially glad for the "and counting". In the U.S. and elsewhere, we're still in recovery from that time. I hope we don't get bleached bones before we have a chance to gain freedom and enjoy it.

Reviewed by Ronald Hull

Reviewed on April 1, 2005

Didn't get all your metaphors but sure felt the intensity, Mitz.

Ron

Reviewed by Tom poesyco.th@gmail.com

Reviewed on March 7, 2005

MITZI:

It took profound courage to post such a controversial piece, about a heinous offense. BRAVO!

Until homo sapiens learns to replace 'apathy' with 'empathy' we are all doomed to witness historical repetitions of such atrocities.

"There, but for the Grace of God, go I!" Tom.

Reviewed by Augustine Sam

Reviewed on March 7, 2005

Thought-provoking. Mitzi glimpses the black journey with an intense poetic eye and asks a pertinent question at the end. There is something about the underlying message in this verse that provides some food for thought. It has the ring of a piece of poetry that comes from deep inside.

Reviewed by Helen Downey

Reviewed on March 6, 2005

So true yet sad are the words that are placed upon the slate for all to read. What a great talent you have! Please keep on writing.
Helen

Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner

Reviewed on March 6, 2005

Mitzi,

Haunting. :( Effectively, chillingly penned--thank you

(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. :(

Reviewed by Handsum Hart

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

A very powerful write, on a subject not easy to write about.
Thanks for sharing.

Peace

Reviewed by Walter Jones

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

Each day we live man takes and gives life in victim’s shoes, people we are capable of the cruelest treatment. Mark of creatures that think, take a walk and see in all of the history of man, what he has done, from eating his own to feeding to lions for not seeing his way to hanging one on a cross for being king, society mass, where and when time is the measure, conscience is the breath of understanding. Turn the grave and the ash of humanity, coals burn hot in now and history, a great reporter and poet you are. Walt

Reviewed by Aberjhani

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

Emotionally powerful, historically illuminating, and spiritually penetrating. Poetry with a punch and lesson too.

Reviewed by Henry Lefevre

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

The past is oh so sad. But now, there are great people like Connie Rice who move out front and shine. May there be many more like her.

Reviewed by Felix Perry

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

I agree with the words of our colleague Alexander, the only way to describe this picture and the words that poured out of your soul to amplify the message is "powerful".

Felix

Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

i am sorry for what my ancestors did to you and your race. that pic is disturbing, but it must be shown, so to educate and inform what we whites did to african-americans in history. such a damn shame, such a g.d. shame! powerful, heartwrenching write; thank you for the courage in sharing this unpleasant time in history! may it never happen again!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in tx., karen lynn. :( >tears <

Reviewed by William DeVault

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

Absolutely. You have found your voice (remarkable for the short amount of time you have been writing) and that is what separates those who are poets from those who write poetry. You are a poet. Speak the truth and let the ignorant learn, if they have the courage to.

Reviewed by Deirdre Barringer (Reader)

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

Looking at that picture makes me very angry. But people need to know this sort of thing really happened. I hope those so called human beings standing around got punishment somehow. Very powerful writing.

Reviewed by Ron (sketchman) Axelson (Reader)

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

I know for sure, that I have nothing to do with the bigots and haters of this world. These days, bigots eat a lot of spit food.
Powerful Mitzi. We all have the same red blood regardless of color...
Thanks always for stopping my way..

Reviewed by George Jackson

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

This is a stunning, powerful write.

Reviewed by Tinka Boukes

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

Most Powerful message Mitzi!!

Hugs & Love Tinka

Reviewed by Nordette Adams

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

Girlfriend, you know you got a powerful pen. I'm not going to say too much here, the people are writing so much. Did see our girl Erykah in there. I have to read it lightly and come back because some mornings I just don't want to weep. :-)

Reviewed by Mr. Ed

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

I agree with Ch'erie, Mitzi - sadly, I, too, believe that bigotry and hatred have always been with us, and will probably always be with us in one form or another - a truly terrible flaw in mankind's makeup. And one wants to weep for all of us when looking at that photo.

Reviewed by Ch'erie de Perrot

Reviewed on March 5, 2005

Racial hatred has been with us since the dawn of time, and will be with us to the end.Man is a Bigot, he cannot caress that which he does not understand, whether it be race,creed, colour, affirmity etc.
It's no good pointing the finger at any one nation on this earth, we all are guilty of attrocities. I stand for equality right across the board, am a mixture of many races, come from a country that is frequented by a huge proportion of indigenous ppl, and was born in one with even more, all people are equal in God's eye's, it is us that has the problem with colours, and it is pathetic. Who do we think we are.

Powerfully penned, TY, I cringed whilst reading, but share your pain, for I know what it is to be set aside as some sort of reject of society too well.
Hugs and love to you
Ch'erie

Reviewed by KJ McPhee

Reviewed on March 4, 2005

makes you sick looking at the postcard - everybody needs somebody to look down on and blame. Harrowing image of man's inhumanity to man.

Reviewed by Regis Auffray

Reviewed on March 4, 2005

I need say no more about what you've done here, Mitzi. What is sad is that this happens in other parts of this planet on a daily basis in different ways. It is a huge indictment on us as supposed custodians of this planet and supposedly members of a "brotherhood of wo/men." Powerful message that will make people react. Thank you, Mitzi. Love and peace. Regis

Reviewed by Judy Lloyd (Reader)

Reviewed on March 4, 2005

God in a town close to where I live now there was a man that was hung from the telephone post back during the fifties but I was horrified when I saw the film Rosewood that is so pathetic what was done. You did write a good piece and my heart goes out to these people who suffered like this. But then they put my people on the Cherokee trail of tears. And yes they did come and take our lands away from us. But we must never forget and remember to reach out and treat others as we would have them treat us. Peace must begin with hands shaking hands.

Reviewed by E T Waldron

Reviewed on March 4, 2005

Mitzi All through this I was thinking about that song Billie Holiday sang about "Niggas" hanging on trees, it is such a horrific remembrance that no one ever wants to think of it, Like the holocaust and genocide in other countries, it is like Jerry said mans inhumanity to man and I will never understand how they do it and mange to go on living .with themselves. I too would love to forget it, but understand why you won't let us, and shouldn't! Blessings to you!
Hey sis you sure picked a good month to be born! ;-)Happy Birthday to you, and many more to come!!!
love, eileen

Andy stop blaming America for everything! The UK was around long before us , go look back at the horrific things your countrymen did!
Who do you think started it all?

Reviewed by Andy Turner (Reader)

Reviewed on March 4, 2005

This needs to be said and repeated. Out of all the countries I've been to, America has the biggest racial hatred. Even at me for being english, they tried to give me a hard time.

My friends had to drag me out. Am amazed at what I've even heard men of the cloth say.

America should look inside, before trying to change the world to its values.

I was dumb struck at segregation in Texas and Alabama.
I purposely joined in with my black friends.
Low and behold, at the air force base, some black guys had noticed, and got all the high fives.

Then other of my white friends joined me.

Well done...

Reviewed by Jerry Bolton (Reader)

Reviewed on March 4, 2005

I can't read this poem. I refuse to look at the photo. I saw it once, that is clearly enough. I hate this. I hate that it happened. I hate that there were people of my heritage that could do something like this AND FUCKING LAUGH ABOUT IT AND HAVE THEIR PICTURE MADE!!! I hate everything about this and I hate having it brought to my attention by people like you, knowing that if I were in your shoes I too, might be the one shoving this stuff at people . . . so . . . we . . . never . . . forget!!! My God, man's inhumanity to man is unbelievable and . . . Oh, shit!