The poem "Ballad of Birmingham" is effective because it tells a powerful story about the 1963 bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama, from the perspective of a mother and daughter. The poem is written in a ballad form, which is a type of poem that tells a story and is often set to music. The use of repetition, rhyme, and rhythm in the poem creates a haunting and memorable tone that draws the reader in. Additionally, the poem makes use of powerful imagery and symbolism, such as the white gloves and the church bells, to convey the tragedy and loss of the event. Overall, the poem is effective because it uses poetic devices to tell a moving and memorable story about a tragic event in American history.