For Poetry Tow Truck (thanks to Donna V. for the prompt, What I Did On My Summer Vacation”!). Also at my poetic collective home, Poets United. Peace to all, and may cooler heads prevail this Fall, Amy
Hot Town, Summer in the City
In flannels-and-snow-shoes winter
we marched at Capitol Dome.
You’d think now resolve would splinter
and we’d cool off at home.
Yet, we’re still here with signs
upholding union rights,
Tired, sweaty folks of all kinds
chanting from noons to nights,
‘Cause we remember history
and it’s not just munitions:
Our forebears saw no mystery
in unjust work conditions.
They used their power in numbers
‘til unions were assured,
And, bless them, they were fired on,
but still their words endured:
SOLIDARITY FOREVER!
THE UNION MAKES US STRONG.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
TheMsLvh
A wonderful and creative account of the union busting occuring. I am thrilled you brought attention to this. I am displeased how the wealthy, powerful are taking the rights away from hard working people. I understand the Gov. wants to save money, but to take their voice off the bargining table is a shame. I have lived long enough to understand, and fear, the way this country is heading.
Liked the rhyme and flow of this poem.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Ms. L., about your “flow” comments, as well as about the subject matter.
Glad folks outside Wisconsin are still getting the word that the struggle continues. Big rally this past Saturday as well… next is trying to recall the governor. I will be very active once they start distributing petitions, but I suspect MAJOR hijinks from the Koch Brothers, as they funded the guv into office and will no doubt create “almost real” petitions and HIRE people to canvass. The Koch brothers are really dangerous men, and we are headed for oligarchy if we cannot get the “corporations are people” BS out of the mix. We need clean money, clean campaigns. (Like THAT’S gonna happen, I know…!) Peace and solidarity, Amy
claudia
this is cool – love when people stand up for human rights and if our forefathers didn’t where would we be now…have high respect for anyone who’s bold enough to hold up the sign..
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Claudia. There are always extra signs at rallies, so come on down! (wink) Also, harks back to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy, which started the real call for unions in NYC… Amy
brian
nice…i like your verse and using it to voice the feelings and struggle…nice bit of story telling…fired upon yikes…glad they could lend strength to one another…
Sharp Little Pencil
I recommend the book The Autobiography of Mother Jones. We in Wisconsin were not fired upon; in fact, our protests were so peaceful we only posted protest emails with electrical tape so as not to damage the marble in the Capitol Dome, and we cleaned up after ourselves. But Mother Jones is my “matron saint,” and her book tells it all! Thanks so much for stopping by, Brian! Amy
Kwee Lewis
Honestly, I’m not too familiar with Unions. I only know what I’ve heard about them, and doubt that because I know each speaker had their own agenda and motivation.
For the good they do for the worker who, without the strength in numbers, would be otherwise ignored – I applaud them. But for any corruption the visit upon their members – I shame them.
Either way, I enjoy the spirit and emotion conveyed in your poem 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Kwee, Mother Jones, the “matron saint” of unions, wrote an autobiography. At the end of the tales of her struggles with mine workers, etc., she gave a prescient warning, beware of union bosses who get sprung from prison before the rank and file, or who don’t get arrested at all. They are becoming like little CEOs, and that worries me, because then the whole union loses credibility. Thanks for this, and I recommend The Autobiography of Mother Jones, or google “Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire unions” and you’ll read about the tragic consequences of young women at one factory not being allowed to unionize – their martyrdom led to a surge in the union movement in NYS at the turn of the last century. Love, and thanks always, Amy
mareymercy
Amen, sister!! Wisconsin was one of the few signs there’s still some sanity left in this country this year. Trust me, living in Texas, I need signs!!
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh dear, Texas? Well, at least your legislature taught our Fab 14 to run to the next state and avoid fulfilling a quorum. Unfortunately, we are now in the gerrymandering phase of electoral politics. But we won’t be satisfied until Gov. Scott “Things Go Better With Koch” Walker is recalled.
Glad to know that, thanks to Ed Schultz (who signed my Tshirt) and other progressive talkers, plus Jon and Rachel and Stephen, we are still on people’s minds.
My Lex lived in Texas (Austin) during the Ann Richards years and saw her get pilloried by Dubya. Ugh. Bless you, babe. Amy
Bodhirose
No one should work in unsafe conditions. It’s too bad that some companies need to be forced to do what’s right and fair. Power to the people!
Sharp Little Pencil
The same people who bitch about unions forget that, other than the public sector, all the good union jobs were shipped overseas – and OUR taxpayer dollars were used to “help the poor companies relocate and train people in China, India,” to the tune of $1,000 a job. Thanks, Dubya.
Power to the people, right on!! Thanks, Gayle, you little rabblerouser! Peace, Amy
Pat Hatt
Show those signs and let them shout, sometimes it’s worth it getting others to take note. Although sometimes its just a greed filled nut, who wants to make it drag on longer so he fills his or her pockets and lets everyone else stand out in the heat or cold and do such things. Thin line it can be.
Sharp Little Pencil
Pat, you bring up a good point. I do believe Gov. Walker and the Koch brothers thought we’d be tired by now, then disheartened when they ran faux primaries on the Dem. lines, using Republican candidates to deplete our resources.
We are headed for oligarchy if we don’t stem the tide of obscene wealth being held by 11 or 12 families, including the Bushes, the Gates family (who at least have a sense of public service), T. Boone Pickens (wild card there), and the surprising Warren Buffet. The lines? Already drawn, Pat. We’ll have to see if guts and determination can triumph over The Almighty Checkbook. Thanks for a thought-provoking comment. Amy
Renee Espriu
I really like this one, Amy. Unions once were what people relied on to give them equal stand in the workplace and although still in place not as vital as they once were but still important. Powerful words!
Sharp Little Pencil
People in America seem to feel that Saturdays and Sundays off, vacation time, sick leave, and pensions (while they last) are all some “entitlement,” to use the words of the conservative Right. NONE of these would have come to pass if The People didn’t stand up to The Robber Barons and strike, risk their lives at times, and spend time in jail. So Tea Party, wake up! Or do you really want a 6-day work week again with 14-hour days? Thanks so much, Renee, Amy
Jessica P
I agree with you about the importance of unions. Well written. Love the title!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Jess. That song was on the radio the day I wrote it. Oldies station. offffff course….. LOL
Madeleine Begun Kane
A wonderfully written political poem!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks so much, Madeleine! Amy