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Eleanor and Mary
By Sylvia Greene
History remembers thunder and
lightning,
Sometimes thunder rolls loudest
when it walks in purpose,
Lightning flashes brightest when it collides with destiny.
Thunder
Mary McLeod Bethune was destined
to shake and shape the world.
Daughter of former slaves
Born to parents who knew the weight of chains.
For her, education was not just a ladder,
But the breath of freedom to be inhaled.
Lightning
Eleanor–born into privilege and pearls
Name alone opened doors
to corridors of opportunity
Not afraid to speak her mind
Her bold passion for equal rights
Lit fires at the feet of Jim Crow.
1927
Mary cool under fire, a soldier prepared for battle
Defiantly striding into the room
Head held high
Gaze straight forward
Spurring the toxic side whispers
Sweeping the room like a tornado
The only Black woman in the room.
She sits alone…
Not her first as an unexpected guest
Unbowed head, ready for the test
Seating spoke, “You do not belong.”
“Fear not” was her internal song.
Eyes staring with a piecing chill
Hoping to penetrate her determined will
The silence was heavy
meant to make her feel small
Her presence in that room
was the collapse of the invisible wall.
Eleanor strolled into the grand room
Commanding everyone’s attention
Long-strides of deliberate steps
ushered her to Mary’s side
She moved her chair
and sat beside.
Thunder meets Lightning
A friendship born- engraved in letters,
Ink traveling where bodies could not,
Braiding two lives into one fight,
Strategic meetings morning, noon, and night
Planning, pushing, demanding better
Creating a world where all can live together.
July 1940
From dust and hymnbooks
Mary built a school,
lifting hearts and souls of girls
“Colored girls,” the era insisted
“Daughters of the dawn,” rising like
Yeast in the bread of life.
Eleanor invited them to the President’s ball
Girls who had been told in a thousand quiet
And thunderous ways,
Their place was elsewhere.
Anywhere but here.
Elsewhere came to the White House.
Adorned in gowns stitched from defiance,
Fabrics luminous with hopes and dreams
draped in dignity, illuminating pride
Smiles bright- beaming with courage.
Hoisting the invisible banner, “We belong.”
Two women one from the tracks, the other from the terrace,
Built opportunities where none had been permitted,
Advising presidents, founding councils
Lifting young, gifted, and black minds
into skyward possibilities.
Eleanor insisted that democracy,
If it excludes, is a well-decorated lie.
Believing education is both shield and sword.
Gateway to liberty and justice for all.
Oxygen to a choking nation.
1955
Mary dies.
The nation dimmed without knowing why
Eleanor mourns, now more determined than ever
pounding floors and kicking in doors
Giving strength to Black voices because
“Every lion has its roar.”
She championed those
who would become the Tuskegee Airmen-
Black men who demanded the sky
to release its prejudices.
Let us fly! Let us fly!
Eleanor and Mary
Forces of nature
Set fire to the fault lines
Of segregation
forged a powerful alliance
that rattled America’s foundation
bridging the chasm between their worlds;
Generating visions of hope
for men, women, boys and girls.
Two women
walking in purpose,
Never deterred
Achieving the dream deferred
They collided with destiny
paving the way to equality
Civil rights
Human rights
Widening doors of opportunity
for you and me.
History remembers
Thunder and Lightning
Sometimes thunder rolls loudest
when it walks in purpose,
Lightning flashes brightest when it collides with destiny.
History will never forget
One moved a chair
Both moved a nation.
We thank you
Mary and Eleanor
Thunder and Lightning.
Meet the Poet – Sylvia J. Greene (aka Sylvia the Oracle)
Sylvia developed a love for poetry and storytelling as a child. God put a strong voice in her at a very young age. She began speaking before audiences at the tender age of 7 years old. This transferred to a 37 year career in Education. She obtained a BS degree from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma also completed a MS degree and Ed.S from Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, Tn.
She has traveled sharing stories and poems that enlightened and educated teachers, students and the community. As a motivational speaker, storyteller/poet and writer she uses historical and life experiences to cultivate spiritual connections across cultures.
This wife of 44 years, mother of 3 and grandmother of 2 uses her faith and love for family to inspire others to be the best version of themselves.
Her inspiration to join Rhyme N Chatt was ignited by her son, MykeG the Poet (R.I.H.) His love for poetry blossomed and performing became his niche. He developed a great love for writing.
Since 2018, he’s performing in heaven. It is Sylvia’s ambition to carry on his legacy. His poetic philosophy is “Every Lion has Its Roar.” It is time for his truthful words to be heard through her divine and prophetic voice. She states, “With help from God, I am ready to ROAR!”
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