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They Can't Shut Us All Up
They can shut me up
but they can't change the truth--
I'm Rosa and Hillary, Malala and Ruth.
They can silence my voice
but I'll lead and you'll follow--
I'm Keller and Earhart, Cleopatra and Kahlo.
We rivet and code,
we teach and we heal,
orbit Earth, win Nobels,
go to prison for ideals.
They can't shut us all up
and they can't change what's true--
we're here to write history in PINK, not in blue.
©Mary Lee Hahn, 2017
This is a poem for Laura Shovan's Annual February Writing Project. The words/phrases for this poem
they
can
shut
me
up
but
they
can't
change
the
truth
originated here.
Girl Power indeed! I love all the names in this poem and esp. the line "We rivet and code." Powerful words! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteKeep shouting! :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE!
ReplyDeleteAmen! Thank you. This one's for the girls...Never shut up! Persist. X
ReplyDeleteAmen! Thank you. This one's for the girls...Never shut up! Persist. X
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary Lee, this one's a keeper. Sharing it now on FB!
ReplyDeleteI love all the amazing women you include in this poem. They cannot shut us all up, no way, no how.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. They cannot shut us up. We will persist, just as those brave women before us did.
ReplyDeleteThis seriously needs to go viral, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeleteLove this, Mary Lee!
ReplyDelete"I'll lead and you follow"-- okay, Mary Lee, lead on!
ReplyDeleteYou nailed it, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Mary Lee! Onward in pink!
ReplyDeleteI love thinking of myself as one of this amazing group of women. I am adding Elizabeth to my list.
ReplyDeleteNot shutting up...we will persist!
ReplyDeleteLove this one--especially the lists of names and the lists of deeds. Viva la resistance!
ReplyDeleteWell done. We come from a strong line! Love that ending!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, this is just beautiful. Love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's just right, Mary Lee, a poem for a poster?
ReplyDeleteWonderful! May I share with my students writing about girl's education?
ReplyDeleteBravo, Mary Lee! "They can't change what's true." Girls rule!
ReplyDeleteI added a comment to your other blog, but let me say again, this is absolutely perfect!
ReplyDeleteWow, Mary Lee - another winner! & Amen.
ReplyDeleteVery clever how the names are woven so seamlessly into this, Mary Lee.
ReplyDeletePut this on
ReplyDeletea poster, a postcard, the Metro, the bus
Wherever they go, they will hear US!
Perfect indeed. May I borrow and share among the feisty women at school?
I loved it when I first saw it, and I still do! You/we are smoking!
ReplyDeleteMary Lee,
ReplyDeleteI heard you might not have received a copy of THINGS TO DO yet. I tried to email you but it bounced back. I had asked Chronicle to send you a copy of my book months ago. I'll email Chronicle tomorrow to see what the holdup is.
This is one of my favorites, Mary Lee. I loved this particular 10 word challenge, but also your poem! The invocation of names is a powerful chant for feminism.
ReplyDeleteThis read showed some amount of determination that as individuals we all should have. I would use this poem to encourage my students especially boys that irrespective of the odd they can achieve their goals and make a change in our education system and society on a whole.
ReplyDelete