Open Poetry #18 |
The Report Card |
Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
I had to fill out a form it asked the usual questions and one that did not quite conform at the bottom of the page was a question that made me enraged what is his race? it asked I wondered will all of the studens now be typecast? I thought this was illegal immoral, unethical too so I stared, befuddled...at the page not knowing what to do for the answer to this question they offered five suggestions Latino, Black or Asian Hispanic or Caucasion none exactly matched but I found a little catch below the immoral, illegal line was one that might fit just fine it said..."other, please explain" and so, I racked my brain on his Dad's side, pure New England Welch, German, American Indian and many from New Finland but my family offered more complications from all of the relations ancestors from so many nations Hebrew, Russian, Turkish, Czech Polish, German, maybe even Chinese oh heck! I thought I might write, "multicultural" but I realized that wasn't a race and so I recalled his childhood pics and the expression on his innocent face that adorable imp with big bright eyes how dare they try to categorize but something, on that line...I must write or the report card would never grace my sight and so, recalling that cute little moppet I took my pen out of my pocket and on that line... I wrote the word "Hobbit" |
||
© Copyright 2002 Lyra Nesius - All Rights Reserved | |||
Professor Gloom Member Elite
since 2000-07-23
Posts 3082of Depression |
Interesting poem of everyday, I hope you pursued the illegal imposition, Unless challenged it will continue, I would have written American, since I was born in this land. The Melting Pot can not be easily defined and they need to stop trying. Gloom |
||
strbbux Member Elite
since 2001-12-19
Posts 3859 |
Madame, well first of all I detest that they do that.Categorize people. I would be angry too. Your answer was unique.Good for you.Floria Floria "Alas for those that never sing, But die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) [This message has been edited by strbbux (01-24-2002 08:04 AM).] |
||
Greeneyes
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
Nice work...AND GOOD FOR YOU!!!!! Lauren~ Tomorrow's another day and I'm thirsty any way so bring on the rain [This message has been edited by Greeneyes (01-24-2002 10:11 AM).] |
||
His Poet Senior Member
since 2001-12-18
Posts 750 |
Lyra, this a humorous approach to a touchy subject. Two of my grandchildren are a blend of Korean, African American, Native American and Caucasian. My daughter refused to pick one of the listed catagories for my grandson's birth certificate but the hospital was going to hold him hostage until she chose one. I can't remember how they solved the dilemma but these two munchkins are two beauties no matter what catagory they're place in. Thanks for the write. Cheryl |
||
Marsha
since 2000-07-10
Posts 7423Maidstone Kent England |
Lyra darling girl this is utterly utterly so totally you, and it's fabulous. I think this is utterly utterly spectacular. The flow the construction the rhythm all combine to make this a truly outstandingly fabulous poem. Rarely is writing this good, certainly this far exceeds my expectations and my expectations for you are always high. YOU are a very good writer and this proves it. And the subject is sooooooooo real and immedeiate, you've expressed it perfectly. Go go Lyra. Do I love it? Yes Yes YES!! Please don’t stop writing you improve daily and this shows just how well you can Write. Love and warm stuff As always Mushy To give light to them that sit in darkness..... to guide our feet into the way of peace St John ch2 v1 |
||
N orth Carolina Girl Senior Member
since 2001-12-04
Posts 962NC,USA |
Lyra,this brought back alot of memories.The other day I was looking through some stuff and found Stevie`s old report cards.I sat there and smiled wondering how he even got through school.TAKE CARE! Juanita |
||
sodpossom Senior Member
since 2001-06-15
Posts 723N.C |
Lyra Humorous but at the same time a topic that needs to be addressed.I think theres a pretty good chance that I am European American,then again I might be a white African American.Really,what difference does it make?God help us! |
||
Irish Rose Member Patricius
since 2000-04-06
Posts 10263 |
I can relate to this, reminds me of all the things I had to fill out when the kids were growing up! enjoyed this one, Lyra. Kathleen--(Kay) |
||
walker Member Elite
since 2001-02-11
Posts 2240Florida |
I like this one. You know when I lived in NY, the choices where Hispanic, Asian, ect, but here in Miami it's White Hispanic, Black Hispanic and so on, can you believe they want more detail, well that's life |
||
RosePetal
since 2001-08-26
Posts 2985South Florida |
way to go sweetie, What is it their business what race a child is? I also don't like that on job applications it states "we are an equal opportunity employer" but at the bottom it asks that you tell which race you are! Well I am half american indian, mixed with other things, so I never like checking one off! I'm glad u wrote what u wrote |
||
ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
Can identify with the "Oh Father thou art", I had to say in the morning with the "Baruch Hashem", in the afternoon and the applications that still have this deplorable question on it, even on that of AT&T!Admire your convictions and tenaciousness. |
||
Startime Member Ascendant
since 2000-10-03
Posts 5918Canada |
*giggling* BRAVO!!!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!*giggling* after all he is your little hobbit. **big hugs** Love I leave with you whether it is in your life now or yet the essense of your dreams. |
||
Tracey Member Elite
since 2001-08-29
Posts 2808where insanity meets breeding |
How cute this is. Yes, it is silly to try to put labels on people, especially of an ancestral origin…so many people have such a mix of backgrounds. But I love your response to the question. Bet it got a few chuckles in the admin office too. If she who dies with the most toys wins, then can I have some toy boys please? |
||
Rodney Belcher Member
since 2000-06-06
Posts 227Taylor, Michigan |
We are God's children...why can't that ever be enough? Thanks for the light-hearted approach...I always enjoy your writes (writs?)...Rod Nothing ever happens unless first a Dream - Rod |
||
Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Juanita.....thanks for your reply... I don't know how any of us gets through school. It seems that most of us are pretty smart, but when it comes to sitting in a classroom and obeying rules...we all get a little air in our heads. copyright2002 Lyra Nesius "poetry is life distilled" Gwendolyn Brooks [This message has been edited by Madame Chipmunk (01-25-2002 03:06 PM).] |
||
Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Gloom...thanks so much for your reply, this country is indeed a melting pot Floria...thanks so much for your reply...it is much appreciated Lauren...Peace to you also...thanks for reading and replying. Cheryl...thanks and now I know that you are familiar with this irksome problem...which I thought was illegal, but apparantly isn't. copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
||
Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Marsha....as always, I thank you and thank you for your beautifully crafted reply Stevie...I agree with you...we all come from somewhere else and most of us have no idea where we came from anyway...we are just all Americans. copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
||
Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Kaye...thanks for your reply...I wonder if every parent goes through something like this at some time or other Walker...Yes, I know Miami...my mother lives there and English is almost a second language and Spanish almost seems to be the primary one Joanna...You are the real TRUE American amongst us Martin....thank you Canada for your all American reply copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
||
Madame Chipmunk Member Rara Avis
since 2001-12-05
Posts 8296Michigan |
Karen...thanks much and I am glad that the poem amused you Tracey...thanks...I bet it did get some laughs in the office, but interestingly enough...nobody ever called me and asked me about it...I can just see the school census for that year...it must have been something like this: 2000 caucasion 1000 African American 800 Latino 800 Asian 600 Latino 0001 Hobbit Rodney...thank you for your reply and I do agree with you....we are ALL God's kids :thunmbsup: copyright2002 Lyra Nesius |
||
Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
BRAVO!!! YAY!!! Yep, he is your little boy and love is all you ever need to describe someone and the heart they share! (kiss on cheek) Sooooooo beautiful, sweet friend, I always love your delightful words! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Lyra, thank you for sharing! May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton |
||
⇧ top of page ⇧ | ||
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. |