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Slave

Like a herd of cattle, placed on a ship. Upon my back, I felt their whip! Ripping into my flesh, excruciating pain. Forced across the big water on a trip. Living in darkness with little to eat. The feel of chains around my feet. Amidst tortured cries, the ship did shake. Waves pounded the hull with relentless beat. Only once a day, would we see the sky. Huge sails, caused the ship to fly. Further and further away from my home. Feeling confused not understanding why! A white devil, steered the wooden ship. All his mates evil with scabbed putrid lips. Yet we, depended on them for our lives. Without them, into the ocean we'd slip. The journey long, felt like an eternity! I longed to be anywhere but on the sea. My mind occupied with thoughts of my home. yet, I could not escape this horrible enemy! Sick and dying were forced to walk the plank. Then into the cold water they quickly sank. The sailors laughed, as the last man was tossed! Their spirits boistered with the rum they drank. Many days later we finally made land. A place of stone and wood, I could see no sand. Crack of the whip, we rose to our feet. "Off of my ship!"was the devil's final command! For Verlena's "Writing in a black Perspective" Contest Story continued for my own pleasure, not part of the entry. Slave Part Two Brought in chains, to a raised wooden stage. Bids tallied carefully, sales written on a page. That was when I witnessed, a most perfect girl. Bought by a fat man, she was placed in a cage! I was up next, I stood still as he bid on me. "One dollar, gimme two, two dollars, sold for three!" Then I was taken and locked up in the cage with her. Together we both dreamt, of one day being free. Brought to the plantation, in late September. I worked in cotton fields, until November. Then I would be purposed, to cutting fire wood. For cold and snow came, by early December. In the evening, we were left to be with our kind. While in the big house, our master dined. Later at dusk, my angel girl would come. Her beauty so amazing, she made me blind! The taste of her body, my rememberance of home. We gave each other pleasure, when we were alone. Even though the master, wanted her for only him. I felt like a free man, when I would hear her moan! Her pregnant, I wondered if the child was mine? If I was the father, I would be bound in twine. Still inside I prayed, that the child belonged to me. In the end, that would be certainly be fine. Nine months later, almost to the day. The love of my life was taken away. In death our child born, middle of September. The master's anger, I could not sway. I was awoken, ripped out of my bed! He took out a musket loaded with lead. Finally free, in spirit we both travel. There are certainly worse things, than being dead!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015




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Date: 9/24/2019 9:49:00 AM
I truly enjoyed this story. I’m glad you added on to it. Very sad, but beautiful story telling!
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Date: 10/16/2016 8:32:00 PM
While reviewing your poems I discovered this write, within minutes I was enthralled in the words. Truly a great piece of creative art!!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/16/2016 11:27:00 PM
Hi Sarita, thanks for taking time to read my poems.
Date: 10/22/2015 7:44:00 AM
Just today I chanced to go through this amazing touchy poem. I admire your deep emotions Anisha Dutta
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 10/22/2015 8:38:00 AM
Good morning Anisha, I am honoured that you have searched out one of my older pieces.
Date: 4/18/2015 9:42:00 PM
Richard, so many heartfelt emotions in this amazing write. Big congrats on your win!
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Date: 3/21/2015 2:37:00 AM
I like how you weave the main topic of slavery and so much more.. :)! Well-written and with the second one I enjoyed.. :)! BIG CONGRATULATIONS! :D//olive eloisa
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Date: 3/20/2015 6:00:00 PM
Ricahrd, Congratulations on your awesome win........ Luv ~LINDA~
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Date: 3/20/2015 3:11:00 PM
Congrats on your win ...
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Date: 3/20/2015 4:24:00 AM
Hi Richard! You tackled the slavery theme with creativity and a mix of emotions. Very expressive; kept my attention throughout and enjoyed the part two, as well. #7 Congrats on a very deserved win. // paul
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/20/2015 9:56:00 AM
Thanks Paul, I have had so little time, I have not yet had a chance to view the winners list. Thanks so much for your kind visit.
Date: 3/19/2015 11:28:00 PM
Back again to congratulate you on your win. Blessings dear friend
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/20/2015 9:58:00 AM
Thanks so much Eve.
Date: 3/19/2015 11:13:00 PM
Amazingly beautiful Richard,, u really hv a power of words, kept glued till end, Congrats on top place win!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/20/2015 9:59:00 AM
Thanks Upma.;0)
Date: 3/19/2015 5:55:00 PM
Congratulations Richard on your 1st place win! Verlena
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/20/2015 10:01:00 AM
I was inspired by "The Book of Negroes".
Date: 3/16/2015 11:05:00 AM
I didn't make sense. I meant to say I didn't want you to stop, I wanted to read more. SORRY :(
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Date: 3/15/2015 8:54:00 PM
What a magnificent writer Richard. You Don't want me to read more. Thank you blessings dear a seven and a favorite Eve
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/16/2015 9:03:00 AM
Thanks Eve, you are kind.
Date: 3/15/2015 12:33:00 PM
There is strength and muscles in your write. X7. All the best in the contest.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/15/2015 2:26:00 PM
This was a challenging form to tell this story, I'm pleased it was effective.
Date: 3/9/2015 6:16:00 PM
Wow, how the words just fell from your pen. This piece was truly inspiring. I felt every emotion confined in your walls of the story. Lovely, just lovely.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/10/2015 7:55:00 AM
Thanks so much Jessica.
Date: 3/7/2015 12:44:00 PM
Excellent and powerful poem on slavery. I do agree with you that slavery is more painful than death. Very sad and shame for civilized society. A great truth expressed beautifully, my lovely friend. Loved always,bl
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/7/2015 3:51:00 PM
Thanks for your kind Visit BL.
Date: 3/2/2015 11:36:00 PM
This is excellent writing! I was not expecting the emotion to go from hopelessness to fear, to love... I could not imagine how it felt to be a slave or the owner of one. You brought this sad chapter of history to life and it moved me!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/3/2015 8:32:00 AM
I am touched by your reaction Kelly. Hugs Rick.
Date: 2/28/2015 3:14:00 PM
Richard, oh my gosh, what an epic story and what an ending, I am breathless with sorrow, you are such an excellent writer, honest Richard, you could write a book, and thanks so much for reading my poem, I write poems, pages and pages ...
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/3/2015 8:31:00 AM
Thanks, I am pleased by your response. In fact I have wrote a book, it came out last year and is now in second print.
Date: 2/28/2015 2:03:00 PM
touching deeply richard powerfully penned piece excellent pen wishing you a blessed weekend dear pal
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 3/3/2015 8:30:00 AM
Thanks Liam, sorry I missed this comment. Thanks for the blessing, it must have worked I had a great weekend.
Date: 2/28/2015 9:15:00 AM
Wow, Rick, you have a great ability to place yourself in another's shoes and see, feel, and touch their world. This is powerful!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/28/2015 9:43:00 AM
you are kind my dear friend.
Date: 2/27/2015 10:18:00 AM
I did read this when you finished it, Richard. I love the second part. Even though it is sad, the truth that it portrays is astounding. Yes, there ARE some things worse than being dead. Not being free....what could be worse than that. I'm SO SO proud of you for this write. You are a man of depth. Bless you for it.
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/28/2015 9:42:00 AM
I am touched by this response, sorry I somehow missed it yesterday. I will bring this feeling with me to add to my happy.
Date: 2/27/2015 9:27:00 AM
A roller-coaster of emotions..Horrifying but true.The love story gives me that optimistic feeling and so life after death.I love the message your poem transmits.Even at our worst phases in life,there is hope for something better to smile at.Just amazing.Other scary thoughts filled my mind when I read about cages and slavery,thoughts too horrifying to share,but whatever destiny is.There is always a better place to follow..Somewhere not so distant,Oh yes.To my favs Rick :.)
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Charmaine Chircop
Date: 2/27/2015 9:44:00 AM
Ow gee..that drives me nuts when it happens,but usually it comes even a better poem when I.have to write it all over again.A powerful poem..
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/27/2015 9:30:00 AM
Thanks Charmaine. I had to write his one twice, my computer crashed right as I was posting my original version.
Date: 2/26/2015 11:25:00 AM
Hell-paradise and hell-PARADIZE! That the way I saw it! Part one only HELL, part two, hell and paradise and finally PARADIZE eternal. Your first part a knife into my heart made me bleed and suffer. The second part a lot of crying and laughter and finally liberation eternal! What a masterpiece! Absolutely marvelous! A seven for part one and a seven for part two!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/26/2015 8:01:00 PM
You are kind my friend, if I could favorite a comment this would certainly be chosen.
Date: 2/25/2015 10:40:00 PM
Oh but you outdid yourself again this time. Another 7 for the Part Two. Blessings for the contest! Hugs and smiles :D Kim
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/26/2015 8:11:00 AM
Much appreciated Kim, thanks for returning.
Date: 2/25/2015 6:23:00 PM
wow wow wow, okay honestly I thought something naughty by the title, but I'm just like that, Your poems were amazing. Wow you are a magnificent story teller!
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Richard Lamoureux
Date: 2/25/2015 8:52:00 PM
Ha ha, I guess based on my good girl poem that would have been a possibility.
12

Book: Reflection on the Important Things