ROSA MARINONI
(1888-1970)

In 1955, Rosa earned the title of Poet Laureate of Arkansas

AT SUNRISE

They pushed him straight against the wall
the firing squad dropped in a row;
and why he stood on tiptoes,
those men shall never know.

He wore a smile across his face
as he stood primly there,
the guns straight aiming at his heart,
the sun upon his hair;

For he remember in a flash
those days beyond recall,
when his proud mother took his height
against the bedroom wall.

Written by Rosa Marinoni