Upon Their Backs

by michaelcahill

Upon Their Backs

the sea does not
reveal

sin sinks 'neath the
teal waves

the deep cannot be
                  fathomed or reached

how grand the ship
upon the vast ocean
the motion of freedom
captive to the tides
abiding in the whim
                                of the wind

tales are told
bold journeys fraught
with peril
wrought with danger

brave ventures--
flight from censure
perhaps

or simply flight
   to seek the stars
        they do dance
             on the waves

If you sail far enough into the night, the sky and the sea become one and envelop all within ... stars are no longer there, they are everywhere ... the moon is seen and the moon sees ... but a slave is still a slave and chains are earthbound without mystery ... moans haunt the reverie of righteousness ... wrong is wrong ...

poetry is pretty

There were Pilgrims here when the first slave ships arrived. They thought nothing of it. After all, it was tea time and the slaves seemed well versed in the intricacies of serving tea. Indeed, domesticity seemed inbred.

And, when the candles were snuffed, they served a more carnal purpose among the lightly starched linens they had laundered to perfection that very day.

Lady Liberty
an image of a slave
herald's freedom