A TRIBUTE
by Sharon R. Amos

Here stand uncrowned queens
women of many ages
telling stories of trials and glories
listen to our village sages

Here lie uncrowned queens
women of many ages
turn these pages 
and learn of them

These women
broke the barriers
crossed the lines
birthed the babies
and wrote the rhymes

sang the ditties and the hymns
grew the vines
washed the clothes
while they organized the picket lines
taught the children
treated the infirm
paid the bills
made injustice squirm

These women
refused to give up
paid their dues
took to the streets
wearing out their shoes
protested
were arrested
detested
some  molested

drank tears 
hid  their  fears
raised  voices
stood tall in  the midst of it all
demanding choices
demolished the  walls
stood triumphant, graceful, victorious

We pay tribute
to the uncrowned queens
no longer faceless
standing before us

Crowned
at last

We pay tribute to the
uncrowned queens
no longer nameless
spirits among us

Crowned
at last

Copyright © 2001 Sharon R. Amos