The Missing Letter

A/N: This poem was inspired by the book "The Color Purple". I hope that for thise of you who have read it you will enjoy it! I decided to stay with the same format the book told the story, letters written and passed between two sisters.


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Celie,


It’s hard to say what I feel


When I heard the word “pretty”


Makeup, jewelry, or clothes


Or rituals of womanhood


These weren’t used to describe me


When I was young


When I was smart


When I was pretty


Remembering the day you left


Dragged off by Mister


Life you sacrificed and took my place


But it was me he wanted to stand as wife


So with hope he would talk to Pa


As though I was an item for bargain


She’s young


She’ smart


She’s pretty


For you only quick words he said


“You sure is ugly”


As he looks at me


Making me wish I was ugly too


But he only thinks


Nettie sure is young


Nettie sure is smart


Nettie sure is pretty


Though you live, I saw you fading away


It would break my heart at the sight


Of the purple dotting your skin


Beaten into empty silence


In the spotlight meant for me


Love for me keeps us in our positions


Why am I so young


Why am I so smart


Why did I have to be so pretty


Your Dearest Sister,


Nettie

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