Editor’s Note: Kerry Arquette’s book of poems, War Cries: Unheard Voices, Unmarked Graves is now available for pre-order here.

The March of Defiance via artistkerryarquette.com

I wore crimson ribbons in my hair,

A mile long, they climbed my braids

And fluttered, defiant as a knight’s banner,

As I marched belligerently to the trains.

I wore crimson ribbons round my waist,

A half mile long, they cinched the prison

Sack that covered my unbent back,

As I stood furious, in lines.

I wore crimson ribbons in my boots,

A few feet long, they held the tattered

Leather scraps that covered festering feet,

As I marched defiantly to labors.

I wore crimson ribbons round my legs,

For days too long, they twined my calves,

Setting fire to my body and freeing my soul

To march glorified to God.