A Good Day


We pick de cotton,
yah gib us mo' seeds
We plant de wheat and corn,
yah gat us pluckin' up mo' weeds
We gather all de fruit,
yah ke'p it all from us
We boil de dry roots,
yah eat de fresh bulbs
We git de guts, tongue and feet,
yah git de best choice cut meat
We only git to have
what yah th'ow 'way
We only be free,
on de good burial day


A tribute to Frederick Douglas,
a homage to his poem, "We Raise de Wheat"
from "My Bondage, My Freedom" 1853
Copyright © | Year Posted 2016

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A   Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 1:12 PM
Freddie, it is nice to be back and see you are still here. it sounds like a touching gathering, To get up what you can. A most thankful read. Love LINDA
Robinson Jr. Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 2:19 PM
Hi, PD. Ty for giving me a holla. So good to hear from you. Hope all is well in your life. Gotta cruise by your page and read some golden poetry. Take care. Love and joy to you this holiday.
Lindley Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 9:58 AM
SUPERB TRIBUTE, written in fine form my friend.. Yes, greed rules mankind and billions have throughout history suffered from that dark lust/power. A7
Robinson Jr. Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 2:16 PM
Ain't that the truth, Robert. Ty for stopping by and giving such gracious comments. Love and more love to you and yours.
Godwin Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 10:23 PM
Well done, Freddie. So applicable to thankfully ANOTHER time and place and way - a great tribute to Frederick Douglas and all his words intended ... CayCay
Robinson Jr. Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 2:15 PM
Ty, CayCay. FD was a great spokesman for justice and equality for all people, not just black people. He championed the cause of Native Americans, poor Irish and countless other downtrodden people. Appreciate the love. Love and peace to you.
Wolf Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 7:56 PM
Silly white fella's have stuffed everything up, RW! A slave unto himself! Great tribute mate!
Robinson Jr. Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 2:13 PM
Ty, Rick. You are so right that some people make slaves of themselves. Some for money, some for love, it's all the same if you let it rule over you. Appreciate the comments. Love and joy to you.
Y. Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 4:56 PM
WoW! Freddie, your title alone brought me to your page. However, I wasn't prepared for what I read. You have penned a sad and heartfelt tribute to Frederick Douglas. The poem reflects the raw emotion that they felt in the slavery days. "We only be free,on de good burial day". Your last stanza got to me. It was sad and deep yet profound. Excellent job. A without a doubt seven and a fav:-) Alexis
Robinson Jr. Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 2:11 PM
Yeah, Alexis. That is so sad to think that the day you look forward to the most is the day you die. Slavery was a bitter thing for black people. Ty for the love and support. Many blessings of love to you.
Lamoureux Avatar
December 19, 2016 at 4:51 PM
A sad commentary on human greed. Sadly the world has not progressed very far.
Robinson Jr. Avatar
December 20, 2016 at 2:09 PM
Ty, Richard. Sadly you're so right. But life goes on, eh. Love and peace to you.
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