Carpe Diem ©

Poem by Cici

There once was a time,

when the color of one’s skin

dictated his station

And the street you’d live on was a

foregone decision

There once was a time,

when taking a drink

was a punishable crime

And Flappers were hip,

jazzing it up

in speakeasy lounges.

To think,

you might have been born

a product of then.

There once was a time,

when alabaster

was the pallor to envy

and a mere glimpse of

the wrist of a lady

put men in a frenzy.

To think,

you might have been born

a product of then.

What an anachronism

would my very being be?

Perhaps embraced, but sooner

sent to the gallows –

for speaking my mind,

out of turn and oft-times,

for simply being the fairer sex

or different hued.

There once was a time,

a book for a lady

would a sin be viewed.

Think of this day,

of this our time,

when a voice you can have

if you so choose.

So open your mouth

and let the words pour out.

For a cause, take your stand

and make your voice heard.

This is your day,

live in your time.