Cracks

“The argument of the broken window pane is the most valuable argument in modern politics.” Emmeline Pankhurst

It started as soon as the window was replaced,
like a vein pulsing in the corner of the pane.
The frame was warped, it was a botch job,
and nobody wanted to take the blame.
More cracks appeared, like a frosty morning,
and the window was no longer clear,
the jagged rip of glass was marring
the view, collecting dust and smears.
A rock, a tangible, stone-cold argument,
shattered the glass and cleared the vista,
but that one small act of violence
let in a winter of bad weather, sister.

Kim M. Russell, 2018

Image result for suffragette and smashed window
A woman peers through a shattered window in Holloway prison after an explosion caused by suffragettes trying to blow the jail up. Image found on Pinterest

My response to dVerse Poets Pub Poetics: Bold Tributes, also shared on Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Tuesday Platform

Amaya would like us, in the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr., who was born on 15th January, to write an epigraph poem (not an official form) in which a quote about global peace, social justice, or human rights is embedded. She says that we may choose to go formal, acrostic/telestich style, where the first or last words of each line write the message. Or not. We should just bold-face each word of the quote, and make sure it’s read at least chronologically. Amaya has shared some quotes we  may use, if we don’t have quotes of our own.

48 thoughts on “Cracks”

  14. This really spoke to me metaphorically…”More cracks appeared, like a frosty morning,
    and the window was no longer clear”….like the pebble that hits your windshield bringing potential for further damage. Perfect image to pair with your words.

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    1. Thank you, Anaya. Pleas remember to sort out your windshield; I’ve been in a car when a random stone hit the windshield and it completely shattered but didn’t fall out. I couldn’t see and had to stop to smash it out. It was a freezing cold day and it took ages to find someone to help.

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  21. Powerfully metaphoric write, Kim. It reminded me of a book I read ages past called The Tipping Point in which the author claimed that the downfall of a neighborhood can begin with a little piece of litter and, on the other hand, its revival can begin when people begin picking up that litter.

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    1. Thank you, Victoria. People who drop litter are so infuriating. I would love a litter-free world. I have to say, though, our little village is. The people here are a lovely bunch!

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  23. Oh Kim, this is so real. The patch was cast, DACA suffers but perhaps lives. Then the rock was cast and all went to H*ll. The rock thrower will go free. Or will he?
    ..

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  24. kaykuala

    but that one small act of violence
    let in a winter of bad weather, sister.

    One foolish encounter and many would have to suffer the inconveniences!

    Hank

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