Monday, January 20, 2020

Freedom Rocks




image from fineartsamerica.com


Freedom Rocks

“We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, Plymouth
Rock landed on us.”--Malcolm X.

If rocks could talk, the one at Plymouth,
Massachusetts would have a lot to say. Long
venerated as the site where William Bradford,
and the Mayflower pilgrims landed in 1620. Yet
the 20,000 lb. gob of granite was more a
landmark than a stepping stone.

It’s considered a symbol of both the virtues and
the flaws of the English immigrants who colonized
New England. But the writings of the time never
mention the Rock. Today only one third of it remains;
chipped away by tourists. 

I would like to think of it as Freedom Rock, a real
symbol of repressed immigrants who sailed to the
New World in small ships, who searched for religious 
freedom and a new start; something that’s been 
overlooked by populists at present. The Rock cries out 
to us today: You may stand upon me, but do not hide
your face.


Glenn Buttkus

Prosery

Posted over at dVerse Poets Pub

11 comments:

brudberg said...

Indeed... the symbolisms are changing... and nothing more than the definition of the word freedom.

"Freedom for" has been replaced with "freedom from".

Jade Li said...

Truly shocking so much has been chipped away! The irony of those who landed there looking to escape persecution and discrimination for their religious beliefs only to do their best to exterminate the cultures and religions of the First People indigenous tribes.

Frank J. Tassone said...

An important reminder of our past, as well as an admonition about our present. Eloquently done!

Dwight L. Roth said...

Very nice Glenn... Freedom Rock is a great title for a landmark. Seems like people are still chipping away at freedom!

Gillena Cox said...

Ah a good poem for the Thanksgiving feast table

Much😊love

D. Avery said...

Yes, that old rock has had words put in its mouth over the years, stood for different things to different people. Cool take on this challenge.

Vivian Zems said...

Excellent reminder of this symbolic rock. I'm now, better informed...and entertained too!

Kim M. Russell said...

Ooh! I’ve recently been listening to ‘Exile’ on BBC Radio 4, a series to mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower. A gripping story about one family's journey into the unknown. It’s not romanticised and includes details taken from true stories, such as the deaths on the ship and the fact that they were not prepared for the many dangers. And yet so many survived and prospered.

indybev said...


I'm shocked that people have been allowed to chip it away! I hope steps have been taken to prevent more chipping! If rocks could speak, no doubt it would have much to say about circumstances as they are today.

Katie Mia Frederick said...

Still Tearing Down Plymouth
Rock Piece by Piece it
was never enough
to just take 'Their'
Land Every
Rock
'They' Sold
Then For Profit
While Freedom
continues to Ring
more Distant Away..:)

purplepeninportland.com said...

Important to remember our history and the desperate need to be free. I am sad that the rock has chipped away.