Jen H. Poet Couplet

Crack of the Whip

workin' in the fields all day long
singin' a Holy song

the only song we know
it helps the white mans plants grow

his stare unforgivable
these conditions just ain't livable

sun beats my back
I is only wearing a potata' sack

my family ain't here
they was all sold last year

'cept for my baby brotha
we's growin' up without a' motha

I take care of us
keep going, i must

"keep him safe" momma done said
so now every nigh' i keep him close in bed

but there's talk about goin'
to stop all this hoein'

goin' north, far away
leavin' leavin', tat's what dey say

up north, where it ain't so hot
but tat's only if dey don't get caught

den... i hear da crack of da whip
and anotha life will slip

but one day, my brotha and I will come,
come north chasing our freedom...

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Michael White February 28, 2009 at 10:03 AM very well done. I coud visualize the whole scene.