Right Now | Teen Ink

Right Now

March 18, 2011
By DW1234 BRONZE, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
DW1234 BRONZE, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Right now, it's not too late
To stop racism and all this hate
When the church went down in flames
The world would never be the same
Four little girls had to die
Because Robert Chambliss didn't open his eyes
There were tears there
If he saw them, would he even care?

Right now, it's not too late,
To stop racism and all this hate
The Bang of thunder filled the air
That was the last of Denise McNair
When a bright light filled the sky
Cynthia Wesley was the next to die

Right now, it's not too late
To stop racism and all this hate
When fire danced through the town
Carole Robertson was next to go down
When the bombs went off that day
That was the last of Addie Mae

Right now, it's not too late
To end racism and all this hate
Four little girls they had to die
For the world to stop and open their eyes
Because the girls are up above
The world is filled with peace and love
Now, what do you say
To the world staying this way?

Right now, it's not too late
To continue to love and not to hate
To love everyone because of their heart
And not our differences that set us apart
Because inside we're all the same
So let's stop playing this silly game
Because right now, it's NOT TOO LATE!


The author's comments:
My language arts teacher, Mrs. Massey, showed the documentary FOUR LITTLE GIRLS which retold the story of four young ladies who were killed in the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama in September, 1963. Afterwards, we completed a poetry unit about the documentary and I created the ballad RIGHT NOW based upon the documentary.

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This article has 8 comments.


on Nov. 24 2012 at 11:31 am
RabbitStew13 GOLD, Atlanta, Georgia
10 articles 0 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
I've got two speeds: mildly offensive and outright hostile. Your choice.

wow. this was really good, and i enjoyed reading it. wish i could write poetry like that!

obfitness said...
on May. 2 2011 at 12:28 pm
I really enjoyed this reading and hope everyone can learn something from it. May the author continue to enlighten readers!

John3:16 said...
on Apr. 28 2011 at 1:46 pm
It is wonderful to see an old student master the art of poetry in such a positive way. Kudos and God bless you

ufrills said...
on Apr. 28 2011 at 9:47 am
ufrills, Fort Campbell, Kentucky
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
This student constructed a well-written poem that effectively conveys the emotion surrounding this important topic. She has done an amazing job and should be commended for her efforts-- as should her teacher! :)

bolyoly said...
on Apr. 27 2011 at 12:38 pm
It was interesting how this student was able to communicate the theme that "it's never too late".  Well done!

diva58 said...
on Apr. 27 2011 at 7:20 am
Made me think about this tragic event again.  Good use of victim's names.  It really humanizes the poem.

marco said...
on Apr. 27 2011 at 7:18 am
Absolutely wonderful! I am very proud of this student.

stronghold75 said...
on Apr. 27 2011 at 7:07 am
Very well written and so very true!