With what has been called the "perfect storm of racism" in the news, it seems a poem, gentle but troubled, is in order.


Spirit Mother

By Melissa Kesead



She walks on forgotten whispers

gown blowing in lost conversations

She smiles at rays of sunshine

that fall on extinct nations



She talks to troubled spirits

hands gesturing in the moonlight

She frowns at falling teardrops

lost amid the stars so white



She lingers in the autumn breeze

tresses weaving about her face

She sighs at languages long lost

at human wars for greed, for race



She cries as forests fall in silence

gracefully slipping slowly away

She turns her eyes in shame and sorrow

and fades into the coming day



Mellissa Kissead's poetry comes from whatever inspires her. She says, "It could be social or economic events, relationships or my children. It always has meaning and comes from within. I have written poetry since I was a child and it has always helped me express my innermost feelings when it was too difficult to articulate." Please find more of her work on my Web site. at http://www.melissakesead.com or at http://www.writerscafe.org/writers/MelissaKesead/


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Carolyn Howard-Johnson wrote the foreword for Eric Dinyer's book of patriotic quotations, Support Our Troops, published by Andrews McMeel. Part of the proceeds for the book benefit Fisher House. Her chapbook of poetry won the Military Writers Society of America's award of excellence. Find it at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1599240173/