Jettisoning Cargo

The sea rose up to kiss the sky 

crashed down upon the ship   

then tossed it high 

like some baby with a new toy. 

  

The slaves emerged blinking 

in the harsh  light  on deck 

Their chains for ever linking 

their ultimate fate. 

  

Suddenly the chain pulled tight 

and sliding and screaming 

The slaves without a fight 

slipped into their watery grave . 

  

So who is to blame 

for this merciless deed? 

Just a false insurance claim  

paid for those lost at sea! 

  

Based upon the true story of slave traders drowning their slaves.  In order to claim the 
insurance that could only be paid out for those lost at sea.  As dramatised in Turner's 
painting of a slave ship.


  

Six

Copyright © | Year Posted 2009



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Date: 7/9/2019 2:18:00 AM
Hi Dominic, Love the poem! Would you mind if my Son, Ashley performs it in the National Eisteddfod in SA? He has been involved in Drama since grade 0 and has been very successful & reached SA Colours for performing arts. Your permission shall be truly appreciated & I am sure that he will perform it well & give it the accolades as it deserves to be enjoyed by an audience who also loves poetry. Take care, Juls
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Date: 9/13/2009 11:41:00 AM
Thank you for sharing your excellent poetry today Dominic. I have enjoyed reading it. Love, Carol
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