Family Secrets Poem by Toi Derricotte
Family Secrets
They told my cousin Rowena not to marry
Calvin―she was too young, just eighteen,
& he was too dark, too too dark, as if he
had been washed in what we wanted
to wipe off our hands. Besides, he didn't come
from a good family. He said he was going
to be a lawyer, but we didn't quite believe.
The night they eloped to the Gotham Hotel,
the whole house whispered―as if we were ashamed
to tell it to ourselves. My aunt and uncle
rushed down to the Gotham to plead―
we couldn't imagine his hands on her!
Families are conceived in many ways.
The night my cousin Calvin lay
down on her, that idol with its gold skin
broke, & many of the gods we loved
in secret were freed.
—from Tender 1997
It seems amazing to me that such prejudice could exist in a people who have suffered so much from prejudice.
A real life experience, looks like. Seems that human feelings on matters close to heart erupt somewhat similarly, universally, irrespective of color, creed or caste where ever people live. Thanks for sharing.
A nice poem on social stigma family has to go through by practicing prejudice. Loved the message in the poem. Thanks for sharing.
She was too young! ! Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
Really an interesting story told with clarity of thought and mind. Thanks for sharing.
Hey family, cousin Rowena and cousin Calvin got married, just keep it secret
All is fair in love and war. It is very difficult to stop young lovers to change their mind. It is better to let them do s they like. Nice poem. Enjoyed the story.
When Rowena and Calvin are happy with the arrangement, others have no business to intervene. Love is deeper than the colour of the skin. Thanks.
still around the world superstition lives lively many society, many families on the path of destruction for this type prejudice let's rescue the world nation from meaningless beliefs and superstitions! ! ! ! ! ! !
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
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4/23/2024 5:45:18 PM # 1.0.0.1119
Like it. Enjoyed reading it. A great poem. May i invite you to read my new poem called, War Of Goodwill.