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Tears From My Ancestors

I'll drink tears from my ancestors in silence From history's cup of their defiance I'll sit in darkness where my soul is torn and quench my parched thirst of self reliance To understand their hell and be reborn Remembering iron shackles, blood stained, worn My mind reveals stones from a slaver's wall Crumbling through years from a past I mourn I carry each stone to the master's wall Pulled from stoney fields with blood as a shawl I'll stand among ruins of an anguished time With memories of tears, feeling them fall I touch every scar as history is blind Reach my hands upward, my spirit will climb and free my caged soul so a healing comes I'll drink tears from my ancestors so they remind contest..Writing in a Black Perspective 2/25/15

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Carole Duet

Date: 2/21/2017 9:22:00 PM

What a wonderful poem Fredrick! I bet you're a fan of Maya Angelo...as this poem reminds me of something she would write.

Pashang Salehi

Date: 1/18/2017 6:43:00 PM

Magnificent ......

Freddie Robinson Jr.

Date: 10/11/2016 11:10:00 AM

Beautiful poem, Frederic. I'm not just saying that because we have the same namesake. I truly feel this was a spiritual undertaking on your part ... to put yourself in my ancestors shoes. Very courageous and elevating. Good for you. Very evocative and heartfelt. Ty for sharing this w/us. Love and peace.

Frederic Parker
Date: 10/11/2016 11:17:00 AM

When I went in the navy in the year 1969 they sent me to be evaluated because when I filled out my papers and I came to the line that said race..I put down human

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 3/20/2015 6:00:00 PM

Frederic, Congratulations on your awesome win........ Luv ~LINDA~

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 3/19/2015 11:15:00 PM

Another great emotive write from your golden pen Frederic! Congrats on top place win!

Eve Roper

Date: 3/19/2015 11:13:00 PM

back to congratulate you on your win blessings eve

Verlena S. Walker

Date: 3/19/2015 5:56:00 PM

Congratulations Frederic on your 1st place win! Verlena

Eve Roper

Date: 3/15/2015 8:23:00 PM

Frederic, excellent write a seven and good luck in the contest. Blessings

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 2/28/2015 1:58:00 PM

Dear Frederic, You did an excellent job of putting yourself in the place of an African American and recounting the impact of their history in the U.S. I'm not familiar with the contest, but this poem will be added to my favorites. Did you see "Selma"? I feel it should have received the Best Picture Oscar. "Birdman" was definitely not my cup of tea and I didn't see "The Imitation Game" yet. Where is Winston going? I thought he'd registered for the NFL draft. Thanks for visiting, Love, CD

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 2/26/2015 11:16:00 PM

goodness, if this is rubaiyat, I think you did a splendid job of it. I think a long time ago I did that form but to do it from black perspective, what a challenge. KUDOS to you.

Frederic Parker
Date: 2/27/2015 9:40:00 AM

Andrea if I read the form right it was aaba, I hope I at least got that correct, as for the perspective it's history

Nette Onclaud

Date: 2/25/2015 1:16:00 PM

such depth it liberates the spirit, Frederick... very well done!.. huggs

Frederic Parker
Date: 2/26/2015 7:15:00 AM

thank you nette for your kindness

Paul Callus

Date: 2/25/2015 12:36:00 PM

Excellent write, Frederic! I like how you participate in what they had to go through. Healing will come, and hopefully history will be a strong reminder of a shameful period on one side, but courageous on the other. #7 // paul

Frederic Parker
Date: 2/26/2015 7:16:00 AM

I'm afraid at some point history will repeat itself, I hope it doesn't, mankind's record hasn't been that good