In many great works of literature, such as short stories and poetry, there is the series of events that shape the future and will forever be engraved in the history of the world. These works account for the happenings that caused such celebration or tragedy. Many times an author will use this occurrence as a way of portraying the feelings of the victims at the particular time. In the following works of poetry, Randall's "Ballad of Birmingham," the essence of these tragedies has been justified with timeless emotion and historical facts. .
Randall's "Ballad of Birmingham" represents actual events that reveal a particular emotions as well as grief. The poem begins as a young girl asks her mother for permission to march the streets of Birmingham in a Freedom March. The mother explains how violence is everywhere and her daughter should be no where near it. The mother wishes for her daughter to be in a safe place; therefore, she directs her to the church to sing with the choir. The explosion of the church becomes the climax of the poem and reveals the heartache associated with a death. This poem allows the audience to witness actions that were performed against minorities, and the emotion and faith that went with it. .
The church was a place for the minority to go and feel safe, safe from discrimination and violence. It is apparent in Randall's poem that the mother is regarding the church in this manner. The church was bombed in the middle of Sunday school. The poem illustrates the pain and distress the mother felt when the child was murdered. For example, the mother proclaims, "Oh, here's the shoe my baby wore, but, baby, where are you?" This question is an example of a mother yearning for the return of her child. She feels the despair and sadness associated with such a loss. This particular event creates many emotions and thoughts that are effectively portrayed in Randall's poem, "Ballad of Birmingham.
