Gail Bottoms Poetry

Unlock the Waiting List
by Gail Bottoms

Unlock the waiting list,
What’s it about?
Why do we talk and why do we shout?
Why do people work into the night?
And get up early at morning light?
Why do we go to the State Capitol steps?
What is our reason?
Why do we do it?
I will tell you why.
People with disabilities are the reason why.
So they can live in the community is why we try.
Institutions are not places to be.
People with disabilities want to be free.
Free to live, work, and play where they choose.
To try their hand at many things.
To risk, win or lose.
To unlock the waiting list is the way this can be done.
Therefore, will work until civil rights
For all people will be won!

(Gail Bottoms, a member of the College of Direct Support’s National Advisory Board and a self advocate, is a native of Griffin, GA, and former president of People First of Georgia. In the mid 1990’s Gail became active in the disability rights movement and began speaking around the country on behalf of the rights of people with disabilities. She has recently published her first book of poetry, "From the Inside Out." A CD comes with the book on which she reads her poems. Gail is a mother, a daughter, a wife and now a grandmother who fills her poetry with her life and her feelings.)