midway by naomi long madgett
midwayI've come this far to freedom and I won't turn back I'm climbing to the highway from my old dirt track I'm coming and I'm going And I'm stretching and I'm growing And I'll reap what I've been sowing or my skin's not black I've prayed and slaved and waited and I've sung my song You've bled me and you've starved me but I've still grown strong You've lashed me and you've treed me And you've everything but freed me But in time you'll know you need me and it won't be long. I've seen the daylight breaking high above the bough I've found my destination and I've made my vow; So whether you abhor me Or deride me or ignore me Mighty mountains loom before me and I won't stop now. OBVIOUS SOCIAL MESSAGE: Discrimination. THEMES: Determination Discrimination Segregation Freedom Struggle POETIC TECHNIQUES: Metaphors- “Mighty mountains loom before me” Background: Naomi Long Madgett wrote this poem as a way of expressing the voices of those involved in the civil rights movements. She wanted to convey the emotions felt especially by her in a touching way. The author who was a Native American was also discriminated during 1960s. She was influenced to fight for the rights of Black Americans because she attended a integrated school plagued with racism. |
Poetry analysisI've come this far to freedom and I won't turn back
Has gone through so much that turning back is not valid I'm climbing to the highway from my old dirt track Writer tries to make her life better. I'm coming and I'm going Shows progress that writer is moving forward. And I'm stretching and I'm growing becoming bigger and more powerful. And I'll reap what I've been sowing or my skin's not black She put in so much effort and was waiting for the day that they would receive the award. I've prayed and slaved and waited and I've sung my song Waiting for the end of slavery and the installation of freedom. You've bled me and you've starved me but I've still grown strong Physical punishment was used against her but it only made her more persistent. You've lashed me and you've treed me And you've everything but freed me Been mistreated but never set free. But in time you'll know you need me and it won't be long. Regret what they have done and need her aid. I've seen the daylight breaking high above the bough See the hope and light when in the darkness. I've found my destination and I've made my vow; Focused on the cause that needs to be achieved. The author will stay persistent. So whether you abhor me Or deride me or ignore me Even if you wish to hurt her or ignore her Mighty mountains loom before me and I won't stop now. Her struggles are like mountains which she has to overcome in order to get to her destination. OPINION/ EXPLANATION: I think this is a very meaningful and influential poem. In the eyes of the reader, Naomi is the faceless figure of every passionate African American that fought to be equal. The author captures all the emotions and thoughts that all those African Americans would have felt. The author believed she was halfway towards freedom just like every other African American. Therefore, I personally feel this poem is a great one when describing the civil rights movement in an interesting way. |