Tell Our Fathers

They came and walked on this soil,
hands and feet shod in chains.
They marched through unending roads,
a highway of pain and sorrows.
The shackles of slavery burdened their souls.
They awoke each day,
with fears in their minds and prayers in their hearts.
They died with a song on their lips.
They passed on with a message of hope.
When you cross over the rivers,
tell our fathers that our chains are hungs as memorials.
We have stayed too long on the road,
we have finally reached our homes.
We are dinning in a large house with greatlights,
our children are walking happily on the streets,
the Nations stand in awe of us,
as they have become witnesses of what is possible.
Our gown of mourning has been torn,
we are clothed with a marriage gown.
Salvation has come with healing on its wings,
for our father's captivity is turned around.
If you hear us cry today,
if our tears fill your censers above,
think not that we are in chains.
for today our dream is born.
For we cry in our songs,
we cry in our prayers,
we cry through our smiles,
we cry because change has come.
We will teach our children this story.
The story of redemption.
Tell our fathers,
to sleep in peaceful bliss.
For though the struggle may continue,
 we know that victory is certain.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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Iloduba Jnr Avatar
August 11, 2009 at 4:12 AM
you make me proud.works like this make me reflect.cheers and congrats.
Moreno Avatar
May 3, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Ololade, my belated congrats in making the semi finals...Raul
Brown Avatar
April 28, 2009 at 6:51 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it into the semi finals. Wishing you the best of luck in the finals. Love, Carol
Augustus Avatar
February 27, 2009 at 1:33 PM
Very powerful poem! This is a well deserved spot for your poem. Congratulations!
Brown Avatar
February 27, 2009 at 6:39 AM
Congratulations on your excellent poetry being featured this week. May you have many more featured. Love, Carol
Jordan Avatar
February 25, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Oloade - I just wanted to say congratulations on having your poetry featured this week – God Bless, MJ
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
February 24, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Congratulations on this well written poem "Tell Our Fathers" being featured this week. God Bless. Vince
Devonshire Avatar
February 20, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Ololade, How wonderful that "Salvation has come." I pray your homeland continues to experience renewed hope. This was awesome writing! Captivating! Carolyn
Guzzi Avatar
February 12, 2009 at 12:18 PM
"They died with a song ON their lips." "Our gowns of mourning have been" or "Our gown of mourning has been" "For though the struggle may continue, we know, victory is certain. VERY POWERFULL & meaningful write. The above changes are merely grammatical and if changed with strengthen the understanding of the reader. Light & Love Debbie
Moreno Avatar
January 21, 2009 at 3:24 PM
I welcome you to POETRYSOUP where you are amongst great company. I invite you to read some of my work...Raul
Mac Donald Avatar
January 19, 2009 at 4:27 AM
Another amazing piece, Ololade! Outstanding, "They marched through unending roads, a highway of pain and sorrows". I'm blown away by the imagery and emotion that this piece drums up. The best to you and yours..God bless! Mikki
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