Slavery:
n; the cold iron chains
with their heavy manacles
that drain the life
from loving, energetic people
who give their warmth freely
with no ask of returns
as they clang and scrape and screech
down the years;
the bitter twisted lies
of white folks who fear
anything that’s different;
the sound of a bell ringing
in your ear
signifying the start of yet another battle
for survival against a white master;
the never-ending struggle
to reach the summit and be counted as equal
only to see you’ve still a mountain to climb;
the fact you find beauty
in every aspect of life
and you sing.
