Original Poem reponse:

Riots Throughout Centuries

I am Emboldened by

Stones thrown, 

Unity enveloped in sweet twigs and twine,

Sparrows flying free from the clutches of nests

They once considered perennial. 

I am Emboldened by 

Centuries of justice found in pandemonium,

Women before me defiling what it means to be a man,

And for necklaces on chests 

Made of pearls curated by the akin gender. 

I am Emboldened by

Poetry found in corners of desk drawers

That mark the disparity between then and now;

Reluctance of discovery versus orated speeches

And for the podium below me built by Hands of the past.

I am Emboldened by 

Oceans of calmed tides,

Sparrows that build their own crests 

From the materials of old nests,

As their love for one another is simply natural order.

Reflection: 

I responded personally to Emily Dickinson’s “Her Breast Is Fit For Pearls.” poem with a creative piece of my own. I wrote this poem to represent a modern take on antiquated poems that describe the sapphic experience or queer experience of that era of time. Emily Dickinson was a closeted writer, and I covered that in my poem when talking about how her poetry was found in the corners of desk drawers while mine and other queer modern writers can or their art to the world. Though there is still prevalent struggle within the LGBTQ plus community, artists like Emily Dickinson from that era have inspired raw and real rebellion. Without her brave words and her determination to express her love for other women in poetry like she did in this one, it is unlikely that we would’ve had the courage to be as vocal in our activism. In this poem, I start by talking about a major riot for the movement, “Stonewall”, in which,  lesbian women change the history of LGBTQ plus policy and legislature. I relate this to Emily Dickinson’s writing and speak of how our wings have broken her perennial nest meaning her everlasting nest. I think she would’ve been overcome with pride herself and her preceding generations if she had seen the progress that we have today. This poem serves as a letter of things to all of the generations of LGBTQ plus activists that came before me, allowing me to be who I am today without fear to vocalize what I wish to be heard. Emily’s poem serves as a cry of hopelessness. In this poem, she speaks about how the woman she loves is unattainable due to the gender that they share. My poem is quite the opposite. It elaborates on my personal experience with my queerness and how willingly I am to accept it due to poetry like hers and activists like her. I use metaphors like the ocean to represent the legislative floor, and a calming tide to represent how progressive it has become, allowing queer citizens to feel more open in their identity. Though we have so much work that still needs to be done, I am beyond grateful for what we have due to women like Emily Dickinson. sparrows that build their own crests represent the voices that have demanded that they be heard. It represents the millions of queer activists that have come forth and made it their mission to better the world for future generations like myself. This poem is my big thank you to these amazing and dedicated people who have made everything today possible for me and my community.