Aww ((Pea))...yo uhave a style that is uniquely your own. I love poetry that tells a story. Vivid imagery with a sweet, sad emotion. Powerful stuff!

Hugs,
Jules

Very touching and bittersweet story. An excellent write.

Such a sad tale that I am sure has sadly been repeated over and over again. You tell this one with such profound love in your heart....

Be safe,
Karen

Such emotions that shows the heart within the words, it touches you how people treat each other. When things look bright, we then again revert back to prejudices.

So glad when we can learn from each other, so sad when we label each other into segregation.

It is not hard to understand the resentment that is caused by the
influx of illegals, but what we tend to forget is the fact that we stole vast quantities of land -- land extremely rich in resources and that had been home to large numbers of Mexicans for many years -- from Mexico. Took it by force! Not that there may not have been fault on both sides, but as with American Indians, there is a great deal of blood on our hands. I don't pretend to know the answer to the current dilemma; however, I feel that our country is wealthy enough to solve such problems peacefully and equitably. It is a matter of
spending for the right things, rather than those that can only harm us all in the long run -- not infrequently in the short--?
Bless you all for being here. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your interest. Y o u !! <3 'Pea' <3

Sad when people can't get along based on the color of their skin or where they come from. I am guilty of this myself; not so much with people who are black, Asian, or Native, but with the Mexicans; and most of that is because of the illegals, who ruin it for ALL Mexicans by not learning our ways or our language! Not ALL Mexican people are bad--I have some very good friends who are Mexican--, but I have a problem with the illegal immigrants expecting us to take care of them when they won't even help themselves. Now you know.

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :(

This is an absolute pleasure to read - entrancing - i'm a sucker for all the kiddy ways in this poem -i was very disappointed as a teacher, that 'my' kids at school seemed to have lost the ability to be creative and funny with dares and practical jokes - not one good one, nada - and would tell them so in detention for drug smuggling, knife crime, robbery, and not doing their homework...i loved the excitement of friendship conveyed and the social comment, and how events, especially traumatic or unpleasant ones, break relationships, even when their was no 'fault' with the two concerned, or the one concerned..just circumstances, 'happenings' - and how they form/break us. Innocence lost in this poem -it's sad, and true - optimism says there's a reply from Maria in the tree, been there a while too - Nicky xx

I know the feeling of shame and disgust of this child who loved unconditionally only to find out that her parents or in this case mother could have such hatred for another who's only crime is to be of another race.

Fee

powerful work

It is sad when people can't see passed a person's skin color or ethnicity.

God bless you. Kathy

Prejudice is a poison that never leaves some people.

so very, very sad-and so powerful in that saddness- a write about the purity of children and the stupidity of some adults--i hope we keep getting better

I wanted to bring a black friend home and my mother wouldn't let me. Our innocence took a beating. Now my daughters have black, Hispanic, white even for friends. But I guess our shock and the hurt feelings in our friends eyes left a lasting impression that changed the ways different people are treated in our lives. Great write. Liz

Much pain in these poignant lines, (((Pea))). I understand: my best friend growing up was Black. Oh, Lord, to hear my Grandmother say, "Don't you play with that stupid little N----r girl." I was like, "Gramma, her skin color don't come off." Made a distinct impression on me, to treat others the way I would like to be treated. (That little girl now a l a w y e r. Dumb, hunh?)

And when my oldest sis married a Black man...World War III like to have erupted. Most of the family dead set against it: me and Karen, we were, as long as he treats her right, don't matter what color he is. Well, it wound up he was a jerk: NOT because he was Black, he was just a jerk. (Know plenty of jerks in other races, especially my own.)

The doctor who did my back surgery in '83? Black. The Air Force's top neurosurgeon at that time. Dr. Moncrief. My room-mate: "I wouldn't let that N----- operate on me if he was the last man on Earth." Me: "Don't matter if he's purple with pink stripes and green spots. It's the knowledge in the head and skill of the hands that matter most." Next day, he comes in wearing two lab coats: a short one over a long one. Me: "You cold?" Dr. Moncrief flipped the short lab coat back: his pocket on the long one had pink stripes and green spots! LOVED that man. Wasn't his fault I reinjured my back (had a 208 pound woman roll out of bed while I was making it. Accidents happen!).

Girl, you brought back powerful memories...I'm sorry you and Maria had to endure the prejudice of those who fear the unknown. At least you tried to know her; more than I can say for many!! An E X C E L L E N T write with a moral.

(((((HUGS))))) and love,

Karla.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Love ya!!

I really hate this Pod. Man's inhumaity to man. It seems to have poisoned our young lives, you and I!