Frederic Parker Poet Rubaiyat

Tears From My Ancestors

I'll drink tears from my ancestors in silence
From history's cup of their defiance
I'll sit in darkness where my soul is torn
and quench my parched thirst of self reliance

To understand their hell and be reborn
Remembering iron shackles, blood stained, worn
My mind reveals stones from a slaver's wall
Crumbling through years from a past I mourn

I carry each stone to the master's wall
Pulled from stoney fields with blood as a shawl
I'll stand among ruins of an anguished time
With memories of tears, feeling them fall

I touch every scar as history is blind
Reach my hands upward, my spirit will climb
and free my caged soul so a healing comes
I'll drink tears from my ancestors so they remind


contest..Writing in a Black Perspective
2/25/15

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Carole Duet February 21, 2017 at 9:22 PM What a wonderful poem Fredrick! I bet you're a fan of Maya Angelo...as this poem reminds me of something she would write.

Pashang Salehi January 18, 2017 at 6:43 PM Magnificent ......

Freddie Robinson Jr. October 11, 2016 at 11:10 AM Beautiful poem, Frederic. I'm not just saying that because we have the same namesake. I truly feel this was a spiritual undertaking on your part ... to put yourself in my ancestors shoes. Very courageous and elevating. Good for you. Very evocative and heartfelt. Ty for sharing this w/us. Love and peace. Frederic Parker October 11, 2016 at 11:17 AM When I went in the navy in the year 1969 they sent me to be evaluated because when I filled out my papers and I came to the line that said race..I put down human

Poet Destroyer A March 20, 2015 at 6:00 PM Frederic, Congratulations on your awesome win........ Luv ~LINDA~

Dr. Upma A. Sharma March 19, 2015 at 11:15 PM Another great emotive write from your golden pen Frederic! Congrats on top place win!

Eve Roper March 19, 2015 at 11:13 PM back to congratulate you on your win blessings eve

Verlena S. Walker March 19, 2015 at 5:56 PM Congratulations Frederic on your 1st place win! Verlena

Eve Roper March 15, 2015 at 8:23 PM Frederic, excellent write a seven and good luck in the contest. Blessings

Carolyn Devonshire February 28, 2015 at 1:58 PM Dear Frederic, You did an excellent job of putting yourself in the place of an African American and recounting the impact of their history in the U.S. I'm not familiar with the contest, but this poem will be added to my favorites. Did you see "Selma"? I feel it should have received the Best Picture Oscar. "Birdman" was definitely not my cup of tea and I didn't see "The Imitation Game" yet. Where is Winston going? I thought he'd registered for the NFL draft. Thanks for visiting, Love, CD

Andrea Dietrich February 26, 2015 at 11:16 PM goodness, if this is rubaiyat, I think you did a splendid job of it. I think a long time ago I did that form but to do it from black perspective, what a challenge. KUDOS to you. Frederic Parker February 27, 2015 at 9:40 AM Andrea if I read the form right it was aaba, I hope I at least got that correct, as for the perspective it's history

Nette Onclaud February 25, 2015 at 1:16 PM such depth it liberates the spirit, Frederick... very well done!.. huggs Frederic Parker February 26, 2015 at 7:15 AM thank you nette for your kindness

Paul Callus February 25, 2015 at 12:36 PM Excellent write, Frederic! I like how you participate in what they had to go through. Healing will come, and hopefully history will be a strong reminder of a shameful period on one side, but courageous on the other. #7 // paul Frederic Parker February 26, 2015 at 7:16 AM I'm afraid at some point history will repeat itself, I hope it doesn't, mankind's record hasn't been that good