DELTA POETRY

"The Delta Girl is one who has been given the opportunity of education and broad development: she is one who has enjoyed the privileges of culture and selected environment...it is pleasing to a heartfelt depth to see her not as self centered, nor desirous of selfish power, not wanting the plaudits of people, not wanting glory - but with a purpose which directs her activities and all that she may control toward lifting somebody else."

~ Soror Mary McCleod-Bethune

And God Said...

I'll make a woman, a woman of essence
A woman of pride, a woman who is capable
Of putting trivial things a side
A woman of individuality
A woman of love,
A woman who is enfranchised
With the pearls from above
A woman who is genuine,
A leader of integrity,
God said...
I'll make me a
REAL woman, I'll call her
DST

Violets

Like Deltas, Violets must be individually selected
You cannot grab a handful without damaging some of them.
They cannot be roughly picked or picked in a hurry.
Like Deltas, the Violet is not the kind of flower that
Shows off its fullest beauty standing alone, but is
Naturally gregarious and looks best in natural clusters
However, like Deltas, the Violet can stand alone and still reflect
beauty.
Like Deltas, although at first glance violets seem to
Look alike, on closer inspection, one notes the many subtle,
Charming and individual characteristics that make each one.
Like Deltas, despite the violets seemingly fragile beauty,
It is nevertheless, sturdy and strong because it yields a long
Stem when pulled.
Finally, like Deltas, even the violet that has passed its
Allotted time for blooming retains the dignity and coloration
That bespeaks its exclusive culture

~ Soror Marie Johnson (Hartford Alumnae)

Delta

Long ago and far away
Twenty-two began a brand new day.
They wanted more than just a social life
They desired to be more than just a wife.
These twenty-two had a larger vision
And that soon caused them great division.
Some went left, but most went Right
And strove to reach a higher light.
They wanted to make a better place
And give their children a broader space
To expand their minds and their hearts
And give to the world the best parts
Of being Intelligent, Female, and Black.
These twenty-two started the forward motion
But theirs was just the tip of this Delta notion
They gave the foundation and an example to follow
They made it strong and solid, not hollow.
Their legacy remains as a directional arrow
And the time is now to release the sparrow
To fly free and soar to heights unknown
But she must never travel alone.
Along with her sisters the job gets done.
Along with her SORORS the battle is
Won.

~ Soror Valerie L. Thomas

A Delta Woman

A Delta woman, full of style and grace,
You hardly ever, see a frown on her face
Full of class and of light, everyone knows,
This Delta's tight, She never complains when
Something doesn't go her way, She prays and has faith,
Knowing everything will be O.K.
A Delta woman, it could be you or me,
But a Delta woman couldn't be just anybody...

~ Soror Cynthia Bowers

Do You Just Belong?

Are you an active member
The kind that you would be missed?
Or are you just contented
That your name is on the list?

Do you attend the meetings and
Mingle with the flock?
Or do you just stay at home
to criticize and knock?

Do you take an active part
to help the work along?
Or are you satisfied
To only just belong?

Do you work with your committee
And get right in and mix?
Or leave the work to just a few
And talk about the "CLIQUES"?

Think this over MEMBER
You know right from wrong!
Are you an active member
or DO YOU JUST BELONG?"

~ Author Unknown