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The Spirit of a Slave

Where did all those black people go in Black History such as W.E.B Dubois, 
George Washington Carver, Sojourner Truth,and many more that came before.
      Why have their families disappear?
When you search their genealogy, their surnames are found.
      Were their families wiped-out?
I am speaking on today.
      These people paved a way out no way.

[***** SPIRITUAL - THE SPIRIT OF A SLAVE]

      These old bones of mine stir in the grave.
I was a freedom fighter in my days.
      Great I did do for the slaves even when their life in this country had been made.
We wanted a better living a holistic way.
      Our troubles where many; we saw through the white man eyes or ways.
Old bones of mine became tired and disengaged.

      Where is my family now?
Where did they go?
      My spirit roams to find my kinfolks.
Our surname is no more.

      My soul was baptized in the Mississippi.
I was raised from the river saved.
      No sin was present and I lived right.
When I knew my time had come, I closed my eyes.
      In those days, doctors were few in saving the life of a slave.
The pain was so great I knew I was gone.
      But by the grace of God my life went on.
Ten years later, I was summoned home.

      My people are no more.
Where did my people go?
      I see our house yonder.
Our surname is not in existence any more.

      The spirit of a slave
The soul afire
      Roams the world in the sweet by and by
He shouts, "Still I Rise!"
________________________|
Penned April 29, 2014!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Rodgers Avatar
May 18, 2014 at 9:15 AM
Poignant, sad and true. Congrats on your win
Walker  Avatar
May 18, 2014 at 2:42 PM
Thanks Aberfoyle for supportive remarks. Verlena
Hamilton Avatar
May 16, 2014 at 5:48 AM
a subject of great pain Verlena people have a lot to answer for as highlighted by your excellent poem congrats on win hugs
Walker  Avatar
May 16, 2014 at 2:07 PM
Thanks Shadow for your supportive remarks and congratulations. Verlena
Deschler Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 7:22 PM
Slavery was such a sad chapter in our country's history. This poem evokes so much sympathy for these people and what they went through and lost.... A very expressive and passionate write, Verlena! Congratulations on your win!
Walker  Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 8:09 PM
Thanks Kelly for your commentary and supportive remarks. Verlena
Raj Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 10:10 AM
Dear Verlena Congratulations on a great win. This is a well deserved win. A great tribute to forefathers who fought for freedom. And their spirit which is freed others from slavery. Thanks for sharing. SAM :-)
Walker  Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 10:16 AM
Thanks Sam for you commentary and supportive remarks. Verlena
A  Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 10:05 AM
Verlena, Congratulations, on your sweet awesome poetry soup win. Love ~SKAT~
Walker  Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Thanks Skat for you commentary and supportive remarks. Verlena
A. Sharma Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 8:44 AM
Wonderful emotional sad write Verlena ! Slavery is really a curse my dear friend ,, well chosen theme ,, congrats on great win !
Walker  Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Thanks Dr. Upma for you commentary and supportive remarks. Verlena
Mehta Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 5:58 AM
Congratulations on the well deserved win in the contest, Verlena
Walker  Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 10:17 AM
Thanks Dr. Ram for you commentary and supportive remarks. Verlena
A   Avatar
May 15, 2014 at 12:47 AM
Verlena,. Congratulations, thank you for supporting my any poem contest # 30... Take, and enjoy your day/night... LUV ~LINDA~
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The Whiskey Taster’s Flavor Guide
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace