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Endurance Unappreciated, Until Now

Endurance Unappreciated, Until Now                                       
Forcefully taken from beloved Africa, and brought to fertile Caribbean soil;
Sold as much less than merchandise; to unwillingly and unendingly toil. 
Separated from friends, family and tribe mates and everything known;
To be someone’s property and possession: a thing which is fully owned.
Others benefitted from our enduring strength and our unfailing effort;;
But, they never ever credited, nor appreciated us, for what its’ worth.

On the plantations it was House or Field; even then, we had no choice;
Only given instructions, shouted at, or whipped; we never had a voice.
Stripped of our name, our dignity, our ethnicity and every earthly possession; 
Losing everything, and gaining nothing, but our daily, miserly provision.
Others benefitted from our enduring strength and our unfailing effort;;
But, they never ever credited, nor appreciated us, for what its’ worth.

Daily and relentlessly, we strove; unceasingly we were required to work;
Always cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, planting or turning a fork..
Shedding blood, sweat and many tears; but never once gaining a cheer;
Homesick, physically abused, and, separated from loved ones, so dear.
Others benefitted from our enduring strength and our unfailing effort;;
But, they have never ever credited, nor appreciated us, for what its’ worth.

Through the years; ‘Slavery ended,’ chains broke but, systemic bonds remain;
Our Name, our Dignity and our Ethnicity, we’re still striving to fully regain.
In this 21st century, “justice, equality and impartiality” for us is still a fallacy.
Because, in some people’s minds; “Melanin is still subject to white supremacy.”
Others benefitted from our enduring strength and our unfailing effort;;
But, they have still never credited, nor appreciated us, for what its’ worth.
                                                                          End
                                                                 By: Dion Penville

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