i have books to green my soul
rather than wedding ring
i paint words to spark
rather donning colorful dress
i can be
more than wheelbarrow, a banyan tree
more than feathers, an arrow for justice
-untouchable-
I am not, just
a girl dreaming
Note: I watched Daughters of Destiny: The Journey of Shanti Bhavan, on Netflix. I am blown away by Shanti Bhavan's mission to break the generational poverty in India by taking children as young as 4 or 5 years from the lower caste "Untouchables" and providing them with education and boarding up to college (17 years of care and financial support). More information on this non-profit mission here.
Posted for D'verse poets Pub - Quadrille hosted by De Jackson. This is a 44 word post with the word DREAM.
I love this, so much to learn from what can be done if we just want to do it... books more than wheel barrows.
ReplyDeletePushing on because of the want to do so, sure shows what can be done. Helping out many is sure a feat indeed.
ReplyDeleteSigh. Just fantastic. You had me from the title, and the wheelbarrow stanza leaves me breathless.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the title - I was recently served in a shop by a girl with flowers henna-tattooed on her hand. I listened to an interesting programme on the radio this lunchtime about the 'untouchables' and now I would like to see the film 'Daughters of Destiny'.
ReplyDeleteI love the lines:
'i can be
more than wheelbarrow, a banyan tree
more than feathers, an arrow for justice'
and the final lines brought a lump to my throat.
I can be more...I love the hope and empowerment in this poem. Excellent write Grace.
ReplyDeleteJust wonderful. The hope in this poem is beautifully captured.
ReplyDeleteuntouchable-
ReplyDeleteI am not, just
a girl dreaming
I admire this, Across the world we should educate our young women regardless of social and economic status.
So much power in so few words. Fantastic poem.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that we can dream at all. Might as well take advantage of it.
ReplyDelete"I can be an arrow for justice" ... we need so many of those. Beautiful words.
ReplyDeleteSo much to love about this, Grace, but what caught my poet's heart was this:
ReplyDeletei can be
more than wheelbarrow, a banyan tree
more than feathers, an arrow for justice
A fantastic write indeed Grace.
ReplyDeleteFantastic too that change can change the destiny of those deemed Untouchable.
Anna :o]
A very inspiring story and a beautiful quadrille - I especially love 'i can be more than feathers, an arrow for justice'
ReplyDeleteThese are real, worthwhile dreams.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder that each of us can be part of the solution, can make a difference. Your poem eclipses its parameters & becomes sky writing for every land. I love the CNN Hero series, for good news is harder to find.
ReplyDeleteWonderful lines .... All of us can make a difference to touch other lives.
ReplyDeleteI especially like the title and last stanza.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest is particularly gifted at this --- inking herself. She even has special "tattoo markers."
Lovely lines of poetry that mean even more with the information you posted. Thanks, Grace.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteI can't get the movie to run. She must be a treasure. Your tribute to her lends much credit where it is due, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteOK, I got it, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGreat work! Take that next step.
ReplyDeleteShe is not just a girl dreaming, she is making a dream a reality. Thanks for sharing this story Grace.
ReplyDeleteSuch an incredible cause -- allowing children to dream. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAh, powerful lines Grace! Wow. And this:
ReplyDelete-untouchable-
I am not, just
a girl dreaming
You end it with a punch!
I could feel the strength in the speaker before I read on about the documentary. For me the last 3 lines are very touching (wordplay unintended)...
ReplyDeletei have books to green my soul
ReplyDeleterather than wedding ring
i paint words to spark
rather donning colorful dress
this is breathtaking. this is too good. and the story. so inspiring.
Love how 'i' becomes 'I' along with all the dream come true reality that is to be. A powerful write Grace.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful dream come true.
ReplyDeleteA worthy mission and wonderful dream!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to learn about this...and yes---she is doing, making strides in change...not just dreaming. Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteGreat Piece.
ReplyDeleteZQ
Simply amazing and inspiring. Thank you for sharing her tale.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the rest of your week and here's my new addy:
Elsie
I really like that closing stanza, Grace.
ReplyDeleteI love the direction you took with dreams. So beautifully worded.
ReplyDeleteLovely. I needed a life affirming lift today, trapped, as I seem to be, in a chilling cycle of Alt Right news clips. Horrible. The things we humans do to each other. It's nice to be reminded there are still angels walking among us. Thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful words for an infinitely worthy cause. We need more stories like this.
ReplyDeleteone can only hope this work continues ~
ReplyDelete