Hello Poetry
Submit your work and get some sparkles! Create free account
whispersofthestormPoems
No one knows that before Rosa Parks refused to stand and give up her seat on the bus, there was me. No one knows that I, Claudette, a girl of 15 years, refused to stand first. No one knows that everyone else in my row obliged all for a single white woman. No one knows that I was arrested, charged with disturbing the peace, violating segregation laws, and assaulting an officer (I'd never do that). No one knows that I was not the spark because they didn't like my face, didn't like how young I was, didn't like how later, I became a teen mom. No one questioned Rosa Parks. No one knows that I was first.
0
Apr 21
Apr 21, 2026 at 5:33 PM UTC
From Claudette
No one knows that before Rosa Parks refused to stand and give up her seat on the bus, there was me. No one knows that I, Claudette, a girl of 15 years, refused to stand first. No one knows that everyone else in my row obliged all for a single white woman. No one knows that I was arrested, charged with disturbing the peace, violating segregation laws, and assaulting an officer (I'd never do that). No one knows that I was not the spark because they didn't like my face, didn't like how young I was, didn't like how later, I became a teen mom. No one questioned Rosa Parks. No one knows that I was first.
A true story on Claudette Colvin.
#segregation#unfair
whispersofthestorm
Written by
whispersofthestorm
16/F/a forgotten place
Apr 21
Apr 21, 2026 at 5:33 PM UTC
Request permission to use this poem