On the Bus with Rosa Parks by Rita Dove

On the Bus with Rosa Parks

Rita Dove

A wide ranging collection of poems which explores human emotions, thoughts, actions and the meaning of life. Moving and powerful about families and the events and people in the Civil Rights struggles. Repays reading over and over again.

Extract

No bright toy
this world we've left you.
Even the wrapping
is torn, the ribbons
grease flecked and askew
Still it's all we have.

from For Sophie who'll be in first grade in the year 2000