i love my skin. God has blessed me. from the beginning of time, my skin has been seen as a weapon. my skin has been seen as a curse. my skin has been seen without even looking. the world was quick to judge and belittled my people to nothing. no voting rights. no human rights. men go work! women go produce! both tie my shoe! move wrong, get whipped. breathe wrong, ladies have to dip. bend down, bend over. bore children from a master who holds not just the whip but the pen to free and deliver. deliver to freedom or try to escape. harriet tubman tried but not many relate. some got stuck, some got free. some are in the ocean, from where the middle passage had to be. my skin i love. my skin i am unashamed of. we matter. we are loved. happy black history, those below and above.
I hiked a portion of the Harriet Tubman trail with boots upon my feet.
I can’t imagine walking the entirety of the path she, several times, had to complete.
I hiked it in the light of a sunny day when the weather was particularly nice.
I can’t imagine walking in the cold and rain, blanketed by the darkness of a Maryland country night.
Of course, no one was chasing me; no masters were left behind.
Being a privileged white American male, I cannot truly appreciate her state of mind.
But I have a creative imagination and have studied my U.S. history,
Enough to understand this heroine had more courage than that which resides inside of me.
I may have exactly retraced some of her steps, quite literally,
But in no way mirrored her brave journey in any way metaphorically.
After the hike I drove home exhausted looking forward to a nice long nap.
With only the physical and emotional strength left to tip Ms. Tubman my Oriole baseball cap.
To have your picture on the face of a stamp,
Is a honor reserved for the ones who cultivated change
Among the mèlange of inspiring faces,
Lays the face of someone who served on the basis,
Of freedom
Behind a small black and white picture,
A mighty face lays
With eyes of a fighter,
eloquent hair, neatly parted
The words,
Black white
Trust danger
Defiance hope
All line the bottom
Words of hope, words of courage
That picture is of a strong willed soul
Oh what a wonderful life, one bloke stole
Late at night, she deployed her clandestine runaway
With peers, she warily walked, not knowing where she was destined
Little did she know,
She would make this trip many times again, not knowing what each bestowed
Harsh winter nights, where the breeze grew as cold as coal,
She walked, walked and walked
Till’ days grew into the lines of a bole
She is a freedom fighter
She is a activist
She is a mother
She is a motivator
She is Harriet Tubman
Usps Stamps Poetry Contest - 07/04/25
Sponsor: Robert James Liguori
Quote:"Harriet Tubman: “I had crossed the line. I was free; but there was no one to welcome me to the land of freedom. I was a stranger in a strange land.”
Inspirationt: "I have been a stranger in a strange land" Bible, Exodus 2:22
Starnger, a name whispered in unfamiliar tones,
A face foreign in a sea of knowns,
Crossing borders, a journey grand,
I have been a stranger in a strange land.
From distant shores, a dream in hand,
New culture's tide, a shifting sand,
Languages twist, meanings unclear,
In crowded streets, solitude is near.
Eyes that glance, but seldom see,
An immigrant's life, a silent plea,
To belong, yet to stand apart,
Survival wrapped in a cautious heart.
In the warmth of my circle, I find,
Echoes of home, memories kind,
Yet outside, in the mainstream's glare,
A shadow I remain, barely there.
Isolation, a cloak I wear,
Loneliness, a constant prayer,
In this new world, vast and grand,
A stranger, always, in a strange land.
There will come a time when color
Has no meaning to our neighbor
Like it was in the beginning.
Life for the world will be kinder.
Harriet Tubman, born a slave,
Dedicated her life to save
People that sought after freedom.
A surprising woman and brave.
Jackie Robinson, a black man
In an all-white baseball team, then ,
Couldn't sleep or dine with his teammates
At any time, since it began.
Rosa Parks that sat in the front .
Those in disgust were indignant,
She refused to give her seat up.
She was jailed for the incident.
Pained so, by racial unfairness,
It hardens my soul for wrongness
In the life is equality
Our salvation, loving kindness.
5/27/2022
Inspired by my BFF, Ms.Tee Cee
The world looks so dark at times that "Just to smile today?" seems like an impossible thing to do.
But you know what? My odds do increase, "That I know!", everytime I tend to be around you.
It dosen't take a high IQ, for me to see, that without you, I'd most likely, lose Me.
Your like my inner conscious, my crazy mental muse, only you can make me smile even when Im feeling abused.
This world is a trip, my problems? Are ones I caused.
But as long as I stay connected to you, I won't get lost.
So Thank you my friend, for just being the person in my life you are.
Cause in my eyes? Like Harriet Tubman? You are my Northern S T A R !
chillin on da black looking at the earth waiting to be inhaled, just breathe it's me the breath of life, you can't see, you can't do anything without me, I ascend from your lungs to eternity, Iam the essence of your soul, know every lie you ever told, I know how your story unfolds, so many have fought and died, just to keep me inside, taking me for granted you will end up with no life, I was in the lungs of your ancestors those great people you come from, like Malcom X, Harriet Tubman, Markus Garvey and the rest, I held their blood in bodies of strong flesh, they are the real Gods and goddess they had to breathe and inhale like you and me, the breathe of life was created so that all can breathe, just inhale and tell me the reason that you breathe, it should be to have dominion and conquer the land, air and sea, suffering from systematic deprivation causing people to be, in a situation of derealization, where you devalue yourself image not able to have courage to gain liberty so your freedom will diminish
She has patience that defies great despair
In the face of age eroding her motherhood, Sarah waited and gave birth to a nation
She has penitence that overcomes shame
In the face of a cruel death, Magdalene braved the stones and shame and became a saint
She has loyalty that is audacious
In the face of fear and the disciples going in hiding, Mary and Magdalene stayed by Jesus’ side
She can be armless but still walk with defiance
In the face of bloodshed and an incarcerated husband, Winnie Mandela fought apartheid for a nation
She can switch from polite conductor to tough commandant
Carrying brain injuries Harriet Tubman was the female Moses who free slaves with armed invasions
Her beautiful face soaks up tears of pain but always shine bright again
In the face of a world of turmoil and hate, women give us the beautiful half of humanity
Happy women’s day!
Dappled twilight shadows
Canopy of oak and mulberry leaves
Glints and glimpses of sunlight
Ominous conversation of slave catchers
Scared whispers of ones who seek freedom
Praying God will answer their prayers
Led by Harriet Tubman a true believer
Who relentlessly leads people
To the promised land
Harriet Tubman was free; finally. Free to do what she wanted.
Free to stay out of the south, and free to not ever be a slave again.
But was she satisfied with her own freedom? No. She was not.
She gave up her own peace of mind and safety to help others.
She went back to the south not once or twice, but nineteen times.
Risking her freedom nineteen times.
NINETEEN TIMES!
I cannot imagine risking my freedom one time.
She brought three hundred slaves to the north, and successfully.
I can see why President Obama honored her by putting her on our money.
She stands for everything we say is great about this country.
Integrity. Peace. Selflessness, duty, and courage.
Nineteen times.
There is no way to imagine it.
I cannot.
Can you?
Did Harriet Tubman ever cry?
Did she ever bow down on her knees
And ask God, Why?
Or even get upset because she couldn’t read
No, she only stood up and gave a speech
Did Harriet Tubman ever weep?
Did she ever scream when she had that bullet wedged in her teeth?
Or was the moment too mundane
When the doctor dug his scalpel through her determined brain
No, the water dripping down her face
Is only sweat from saving slaves
We all need that “Harriet Tubman kind of faith”
Did Harriet Tubman ever refuse the call?
Decide she will surrender freedom after all?
Or did she grab a pistol and dared to shoot
At anyone who leaked her sacred route
Though her fate seemed dim
And the odds were against her
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer”
For those who need hope or encouragement
Please never forget
to stand tall
and summon Harriet Tubman’s strength
Harrius Tubman
Harriet Tubman was my Great Great Great times Eight Grandmother
Trying to Free The Mind of my Brothers
Cause Our Eyes is Covered
From this Blindfolded Structure
of Vampires, Demons, & Witches
Rituals, Sacrifices, for Riches
Lucifers Music is Enrichened
Using His God Given Instruments for Demolition
Releasing the Spirits
All seeing Eye of the Pyramids
Illuminati Card Game Predictions
Predicting World Events Foretelling it's Existence
Esau hates Since Genesis
Against his Brother to Afflicting
Oppression on his Brother without Forgiveness
They Eyes and Mind stay Attentive
to Lies Instead of Wisdom
Locked in the Devils Prison
Jesus last Words IT IS FINISHED
False Prophets
Make Profits
off the Gospel
Reciting the Apostles
Ain't Scared of these Serpents
I was Breeded for the Purpose
to be speak the Sermons
as the Servant
the Prince Once on the Heavens Throne
left the Heavens Abode
To Expose these Foes
on the Underground Railroad
to the Path of the Gold
for the Soul
Salvation
Revelations
Judgement is Waiting
Shakurspeare
I wonder if Heaven got a Ghetto?
Is their any room Lord for this Unearlthy Rebel?
Against Spiritual an Physical Devils
is Their any Angelic Medals
for this Thug Angel
Purple Hearts An Halos
My Sword cries for Justice
Inside my Core Combustion
I know my Sins have Repercussions
But Until the Reaper Summoned
I'll be your Demon of Destruction
Being a Beacon in Public
I know I can be Weakened in Suffering
But Strengthened in Disruption
I know I ain't Breathing for Nothing
My Heart Beating for Something
Only You have a reason for Judgment
Some don't believe Jesus Is Coming
I'm pleased that you keep your Covenant
I only blame me for Fumbling
Now I can use my Speed to Spree an for Jumping
For Lunging
An Make the Earth quake from Stomping
to Use my Voice for Thundering
Being a Seed of Harriet Tubman
an Fredrick Douglas Since
I'm your Sun it's right for me to be Stunning
That's why I been Running
It takes alot to amount to your Circumference
But my Wings been Muttering
I see I needed Healing an Recovering
This the Premiere of the Conductors
Orchestration
I am Shakurspeare
A Turning Point In Life Is Equality
Writings in a Black Perspective....
The day will come when all will be the same color
The mingling with the neighbor
Just like it was in the beginning
No one will have a rainbow blinder
Harriet Tubman, born a slave
Devoted to save
Those that wanted freedom
Not sold or enslave
Jackie Robinson was given a rough time
For being black in all white baseball teams, in his prime
Couldn’t not sleep or dine with his teammates
At anytime
Rosa Parks sat in the front
Of the designated black section, indignant
She refused to give her seat to a white passenger.
She was arrested for the incident
I went through life suffering racial discrimination
So I harden my soul because of rejection
A turning point in life is equality
And our salvation
3/16/2015
Harriet Tubman helped free slaves
Determination gave her the strength
To break the law
And have slaves crawl
Through tunnels to make their escape -
She risked her life every day
3/12/12
Added additional line at end
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