Hidden by Nina S.



You have hidden yourself from me
Your face is but a shadow to my eyes
Your presence felt no longer

I feel broken without you.
Long gone are the days of a joyful heart
You have abandoned me and left me for the wind
Battered on every side I call out for you daily
There is no answer
Crushed without energy my murmurs are uttered
Even with a bent back and rounded shoulders I am turned away

Every soft thing I touch is hardened
Every venture made to be endless
No fruits for the seeds I plant
No harvest for me to rejoice in
Hard toil repaid with stones

Still my love for you is eternal
Because I have seen your works in my youth
I will call to you always, because it is all I know
You cannot forsake me forever
You are my God!



Copyrighted 2010.

Paradise by Toni Morrison is a book that looks at a town called Ruby just after the end of slavery when Afro-Americans started taking hold of their freedom. It looks at the separation within the black community that is based on colour with issues of self doubt, pride and revenge. The story takes the form of a narrative, where eight women tell the story of Ruby, but from different point of views. This strategy highlights the past of all characters and show the difference between their actions and words, and how individuals change over time because of their social environments. Morrison handles the issues with her usual wisdom and insight, shows how pride over the top, and a closed-minded attitude is a recipe for discrimination. This book is a 'heavy' read and makes one think how one's actions affect others in ways you may not realise. For this books' ability to make you think I give it a 3.8 out of 5 stars.