Northern Slaves

In the silent breathing of night,
treading through 
the darkness and the hush
(A heavy band of slave)
like black ants snaking
through the forlorn distance.
Grieving with tears
Of yesterdays burning anguish. 
They hum a languid song
On the fragrant breath of wind.
A haunt that invades my trembling eyes 
With a thousand boundless tears
That quivers through the night.

The dreaded echoes came down the black pathway
Like a thousand men 
Galloping through the sultry breeze
(Were the heartless whips that toiled)
With dumb hands,
Feeding paled pink flesh 
With endless stings of cruel misery.

The stars curled around their naked feet
As they trampled the grass 
Wet with lurid dew and the masked
Beds of fragrant hues
Prancing in the hallowed night.
I could feel the storming of their sorrows,
The rock of their heart
Drooping with defeat.
Despair a master to their fading hope
That sailed across their faces.
Oh those foul notes budding with despair
Branched within their eyes.

The lulling whispers of their shackles
United with their treading feet like hooves
Cloaked with heavy weariness
(It surrounded the dead of night)

I hung up my fears
For I was bright with their pain
Oh I died that day 
Oh I died that day
While drifting to the helpless East
To that damp cold earth filled
With drowsy mournful Asters
Then the smell of dead men came alive
Black dogs clustered to the earth
Their children beside them with gripping hands!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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12
Robinson Jr. Avatar
August 19, 2017 at 9:54 AM
Powerful truth beautifully expressed, Mustapha. Such a brilliant work of poetic art. Your skilled pen held my eyes throughout this terrifying journey. Great poem. May love light your path always.
Stephenson Avatar
August 19, 2017 at 8:15 AM
Very powerful piece, wonderfully written.
Brownfield Avatar
November 23, 2015 at 9:11 AM
I have a student who is reading this poem for competition, but it must be published. Can you tell me if it is published and if so where I might find it. Thank you!
Carter Avatar
March 20, 2015 at 8:10 AM
Words can't express the emotions of this poem. Once I read the line "like black ants snaking through the forlorn distance" my eyes were glued to the screen. I also loved the line "black dogs clustered to the earth". Such haunting comparisons!
Mcmahon Avatar
September 16, 2014 at 4:06 AM
Hello, I am wanting to use this poem for my A Level English Literature Marxism coursework, but i need to know more about you as a poet. I have tried researching you as much as possible but couldn't find very much. I would my very greatful if you got back to me so I could question you about your carrer and this poem. Many thanks Illanna x
Jones Avatar
November 9, 2013 at 6:18 AM
Coming back to revisit what I think is your best.....what an awesome piece..you could turn this into a novel....I'd love to see more stories! Have a beautiful day Mustapha
Deschler Avatar
November 1, 2013 at 4:10 PM
A very intense and dramatic poem, Mustapha. It is one of those poems which tugs at our heartstrings. Amazing work!...Thank you so much for the nice comments, once again!
Kithinji Avatar
September 24, 2013 at 3:55 PM
I hung up my fears....need I say more?
Haick Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 9:04 PM
Absolutely sad and heart wrenching is this piece about slavery...a journey that no man should ever make...a journey that alters the human psyche for generations! Amazing how you captured the essence of this journey! This definitely goes to my Favs List., Mustapha. Thanks for sharing this. Always, Annalise
Mohammed Avatar
August 31, 2013 at 9:13 AM
Thank you for your lovely feedback Annalise. Its so nice to hear from you.
Sirak Avatar
August 26, 2013 at 5:28 AM
This brilliant sorrowful work left me stunned! It is a masterpiece.
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 7:16 PM
Thank you Monterey for your wonderful review. Hugs.
Morgan Avatar
August 22, 2013 at 8:18 PM
truly one of your best 10poems and skillfully done. . .
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 7:12 PM
Thank you buddy for your kind review.
Anglesey Avatar
August 21, 2013 at 3:06 PM
I am nearly dazed reading this powerful stark truth and sadness to the very core. Absolute brilliant metaphor. WOW
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 7:05 PM
Thank you for that lovely review Karen. Have a great weekend ahead.
Phillips Avatar
August 14, 2013 at 4:12 AM
A very profound piece of writing. A bit sad though...Nice use of symbol and imagery.
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:59 PM
Thank you Christine for your kind review.
Andresen Avatar
August 14, 2013 at 1:17 AM
An awesome write, Mustapha !!! - Well done! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:54 PM
Thank you for your great review my friend. oxox
Jones Avatar
August 13, 2013 at 5:05 PM
Mustapha....no words will come....I'm just honored to have read it....
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:50 PM
Your words are enough to make my day Donna.
Lamoureux Avatar
August 11, 2013 at 7:26 AM
You are a gifted writer Mustapha, I am moved by your words. Straight to my favorites.
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:44 PM
Thank you Richard for your kind review always partner.
A   Avatar
August 11, 2013 at 6:15 AM
WOW M&M.. This is one of the best and powerful poems... YET! deep... always...Linda
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:38 PM
Thank you Linda for your kind review on this one. Have a great day ahead.
La France Avatar
August 10, 2013 at 7:37 AM
Mustapha, your poem is deep and emotional, I feel the pain in your words, well expressed and well written. Constance
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:36 PM
Thank you Constance for your encouraging review.
Liwayway Avatar
August 9, 2013 at 8:14 AM
beautiful poem friend Mustapha..thanks for sharing this. Have a nice day :)
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:31 PM
Thank you Maria for your kind comment. Have a great day also friend.
Onclaud Avatar
August 7, 2013 at 10:49 AM
hi, mus... looking forward to your new work... have a great day!..:) huggs
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:30 PM
Thanks for all your kindness my friend.
Ryerson Avatar
August 7, 2013 at 2:28 AM
Oh my Mustapha...Every line is an absolute gem...'The stars curled around their naked feet'...'Oh I died that day, Oh I died that day' WOW...
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:17 PM
Thank you Tim for your lovely review. Wishing you a wonderful day.
Beaufort Avatar
August 6, 2013 at 6:58 PM
You have brilliantly created a scene of pain and suffering. Sadly, there have been so many abused and deprived people in this world. You have a very noble heart to write like this. Thank-you, sir!
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 6:04 PM
Thank you Duke for your wonderful review.
Haick Avatar
August 5, 2013 at 9:55 PM
Stunning imagery in this hauntingly sad write, Mustapha...Excellent piece! Annalise
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 5:57 PM
Thank you for your lovely review Annalise. So nice of you to stop by.
Delaney Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 8:58 PM
So much surprise in your language. I want to read this over again. Have added to my Favs. Thanks for your talent and sharing. SuZ
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 5:53 PM
I had to make some adjustments in some of the words I used but now it stands as a better product.
Duncan Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 5:06 PM
nicely done poetry ;},,, thank you for reading my The Great Swan" ;}
Mohammed Avatar
August 30, 2013 at 5:47 PM
Thank you Debbie for your kind review on my poem.
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