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Trickle Down Hope

“Your choice today. Continue
with your GED lessons or
watch the inauguration.”

That GED can mean a new
start, early release, a second
chance, freedom, hope.

All eight turned their backs
on history, to earn a ticket
back out to The Free.

But a few snuck glances back
at the TV. Those looks lingered,
turned to stares and held.

When they said, “Please rise,”
four kids rose and stood at
attention. I joined them.

One young man said, “I can’t believe it.
I can’t believe it. I’ll tell my kids
I was locked up, but I still saw

Obama become president.
I can’t believe it.” After the ceremony,
they went back to their work,

compelled by new determination
to get all the answers right.

This is for Read Write Poem’s weekly prompt to write something about Obama’s Inauguration or about new beginnings.

Published inPoemsPoetryTeaching

8 Comments

  1. I know these kids. I saw that “hope trickling down” onto smaller faces too, that big day.

    I like the way you write.

  2. susan susan

    Welcome to read write poem. Really like the message here. I work with kids trying to avoid this scenario. Working with them is inspiring. Thanks.

  3. Thank you all for visiting and for your kind words. I’ve really enjoyed my experiences with RWP this week and intend to continue.

  4. […] chapbook anthology: America Remembered. The poems, which first appeared here at Coyote Mercury, are “Trickle Down Hope” and “Deeper into Texas.” The former was a response to a Read Write Poem prompt. In […]

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