Friday 10 March 2017

Emily's Scarf


        L-R Emily Davison, Sylvia Pankhurst, Christabel Pankhurst and Emmeline Pethwick-Laurence 1910


Emily why are we fighting still?
One hundred and four year since you fell
Killed by the hooves of the King's racehorse
That sad mad day at Ascot racecourse

Few countries then let their women vote
So you walked on the grass that day
So Britain's women should do so too
A step forward for world all through

It took a war and suffering too
To get on that electoral roll
And have the right to make one small mark
Sadly parts of the world are still dark

So the battle is far from won
There is so much more to be done
Equal pay and there is so much more
Thank you Em for opening the door

Just so you know, 'twill make you proud
That scarf you wore the day you died
Is in a case for everyone to see
In the House of Commons, Emily!


                                                    Protesting suffragettes

Images found at www.dailymail.co.uk

In Great Britain the Houses of Parliament accommodate the House of Commons, elected by the British people and the House of Lords consisting od about 90 hereditary Lords, 26 Bishops of the Church of England and the rest peers appointed by the sitting Prime Minister as vacancies occur subject to the approval of the reigning monarch.

25 comments:

  1. It is sad, indeed, that some of the world remains dark... Sadder still is the fact that once seemingly bright places and becoming darker than we could've ever imagined.

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  2. A most heart-stirring tribute to Emily Davison, Robin. It pains and amazes me at the same time, how courageous and determined women of those times were. Sigh.. may we possess the same spirit and valor as them. Thank you so much for participating at Prompt Nights and for your constant love and support.


    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  3. Brave women and great role models.

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  4. Thank you, Robin, for sharing Ms Davison, and her role, in changing British electrial history. Sad, it took the death of a generation of men, for this to happen. May we be wiser, now, and listen to those, who change, for a greater good.

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  5. "Sadly parts of the world are still dark"...i wonder how many sacrifices are still needed for light...a wonderful poem Robin...

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  6. Hopefully women will persist until their voices are recognized and respected in every corner of the world.

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  7. Thank goodness for the brave ones who make those first steps, creating the paths we follow to pick up the fight when they no longer can.

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  8. A lot of the world still remains dark... fighting for such basic things as the right to live and be educated and walk safely on the streets. A long battle lies ahead.

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  9. Thanks for this Robin, women still struggle in some parts of the world. I hope they will be inspired by Emily.

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  10. It's sad, especially when ground's that's won is lost... but I think mostly it is still improving... especially the education of girls... that's the most positive thing...

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  11. A beautiful tribute to Emily. Sad so many sisters still fight the dark.

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  12. Great tribute! So much more to fight for...

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  13. Yes! The focus on the scarf says so much...

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  14. I am glad her scarf is on display, as was her courage that day. It is hard to believe we are almost back to the beginning of that fight, thanks to the present regime. Exhausting.

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  15. It seems a shame that over a century later the battle is still so far from won, but rather than diminish her courage and sacrifice, it just speaks more clearly to the need for dedication to the fight for equality.

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  16. Oh, yes, she'd love the scarf and the poem! Maybe even more than me if that is possible. And so much remains to be done ...

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  17. Brilliantly constructed and powerfully rendered. I just loved it!

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  18. Bravo! To you, and to Emily and her sisters.

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  19. In a crowd there will be one who will go out in front to lead but in the process meets tragedy uncalled for. A pity a life with great potential should be snuffed out!

    Hank

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  20. Beautiful tribute. The struggle goes on, so it's good to remember those who sacrificed so much to bring light to a darkness that sadly, still exists. Good writing.

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  21. There have always been those who persist. Thanks for your visit and M says to tell you, "yes, she has family and friends in far off places. She says to close your eyes, breathe deeply, look for a flash of green, then ask for a name."

    Elizabeth

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  22. A tribute to Emily and all the brave, strong women we must be grateful to.

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  23. What a wonderful tribute to Emily and to the ones who followed in her footsteps!

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  24. A bit of history in a poem. Emily would be proud.

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