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/

New Book Covers Tolerance, Race, Religion and Our Presidential Election

Author Earl Ofari Hutchinson has released THE ETHNIC PRESIDENCY HOW RACE DECIDES THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE It is an explosive look at how racial and ethnic conflict (even religion) has openly and covertly played a crucial role the past three decades in influencing, shaping and ultimately deciding who bags the world’s biggest political prize, the White House. It tells how racial politics will play an even bigger role in the 2008 presidential election and future elections.

It examines Obamamania, the Hillary and Bill factor, the soaring Latino vote, the silent but potent Asian-American vote, the immigration wars, the GOP’s love-hate relationship with black and Latino America, and Bush’s effort to recast the GOP from a clubby, ole white guys party to a party of racial diversity.

Here is a sampling of questions The Ethnic Presidency asks and answers:

Will America accept a black president? Can Obama be that president?

Will America accept a woman president? Can Hillary be that president?

Will America accept a Latino president? Can Bill Richardson be that president?

Will America accept a Mormon anything? It covers some of the reasons people are saying he can't be McClain's running mate.

How the GOP played the Southern Strategy through Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr. and Bush Jr. to repeatedly win the White House. Can and will they abandon it in 2008?

Did blacks and Latinos elect Bush?

Have the Democrats taken the black and Latino vote for granted?

Why have Presidential candidates other than John Edwards avoided making poverty an issue?

Why immigration will be a stealth factor in the 2008 campaign. And did it help or hurt John McCain?

Did Rudolph Giuliani’s contentious relations with blacks as New York mayor hurt or help his White House bid?

Earl Ofari Hutchinson's will be touring blogs this week. Learn more at:
http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Ethnic+Presidency+Blitz+Schedule

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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.