#verselove - 21: haiku-ode

For the month of April, I am participating in 30 days of #verselove poetry writing with Dr. Sarah J. Donovan's Ethical ELA. 

Today's poetry inspiration was, for the third day in a row, by three daring preservice teachers (Brittany Rubin, Madison Burnett, and Sarah Sanders)! They invited us to write a haiku-ode, in celebration of something. I simply couldn't celebrate anything other than yesterday's historical verdict, finding police officer Derek Chauvin guilty in the murder of George Floyd. For the second time this month, I have written poetry about Darnella Frazier. I am so astounded by this 17 year old's courage - I want to have the same courage she showed that tragic day.

Living Courage

Darnella Frazier
celebrate her ev’ryday
by living courage

power within filled
her soul, blessed with bravery
despite four police

such integrity 
what she saw, “It wasn’t right”
quick thinking with phone

public safety must
mean inherent dignity 
of all humankind

to create this change
be alert like Darnella 
heart first, justice first

this is the power
we all must invite and heed 
for transformation

Darnella Frazier
celebrate her ev’ryday
by living courage