The Path Toward Freedom by Illa Soni- a poem for Black History Month

The way we were then and the way we are now,

The path to freedom was a long struggle,

The path of way to the whites and the blacks were different,

That path was always segregated,

The path to walk, sit and use public facilities goes two ways,

The path kept them from inter-mingling,

The path of his dreams and hopes led the nation to change simply,

That path of non-violent way was inspired peacefully,

The path is now free and together they mingle, sit, walk, and talk,

The path also led them to equality with calmness in the air,

The path is now full of good citizens and pleasantness around,

That path is the way we were then, and the way we are now is free

oOo

Author Bio: Poetry, for me, is a vehicle, sort of a path to self-expression. What does one say in one or two sentences that could possibly describe struggles and sorrows in yesteryear’s that makes the readers of my poem understand me. I am ILLA SONI, a parent, grandmother, artist, poet & part-time yoga instructor for senior adults. At the present moment, I Volunteer with AARP as an instructor for the Driver’s Safety Program. I have dreams & aspirations that are at a standstill. Dumb luck is getting me nowhere, so I read & write in my spare time. I spread the message of cooperation and understanding, which is often in short supply lately. I am honored to share thoughts from my heart about a person I never knew, but history explains his dreams in his book “A Testaments of Hope.” So, l pen my thoughts about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as an inspirational person for me. I hope he is the same for all who have gathered here today.