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Open Poetry #51
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Paul Wilson
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since 2002-07-07
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0 posted 2021-07-31 07:35 PM



Scars
By Paul Wilson


The scars of my father
have left their marks on my skin and heart
If I could only erase the pain
Stop the inhumanity they went through
Suffered by him and those that came after him

A young girl named Francoise
A young boy named Jontu
Chained together on a ship
Bound for the new world
Life of uncertainty faced by both

Struggles they went through only imagined
Taken from their families
When they were just children long ago
Their lives and dreams torn apart
Sold to the highest bidder

A life of bondage for men and boys
Young girls kept by their master for other pleasures
Hot sun beating down...unbearable
Toiling in the fields everyday
Backs aching...spirit breaking

Many years have now passed
Some no longer answer roosters crow
Young ones made to do twice the work
Only to be beaten when the harvest was short
Sweltering sun taking its toll

Bound by chains and locks
Hope only a dream in their minds
As they grew into woman and man
within their two hearts
A special bond was formed

The master wouldn’t let them wed
Said Francois was his till she was dead
Jontue swore to make her his
He promised they would live as one
Secretly meeting whenever they could


They would meet under the big oak tree
When ever the master had to much to drink
Hearts entwined like those of the grape vine
Sharing their love and dreams
The rooster would wake them long before the Sun began to rise

Then one night the master caught them
In each others arms
The whip cracked in the night air
Leaving scars on Jontu’s body
As he withered in pain

Francois was locked in her room
Punishment for what she had done
Jontu was forced to work twice as hard
With no food or water
Feeling sting of whip on his bare skin each night

The more they were apart
The stronger their love became
Francois had a daughter Christine
The master thought she was his
A pampered life she had...the best of everything

All through the years she kept a secret
Then one day Francois told her a story
About a young man named Jontu
She told Christine how they met
On a boat coming to the new world

One day Francoise took Christine
Deep into the woods
As they sat under a very special Oak tree
With the name Jontu carved in it’s trunk
Francoise began to tell her story

About a young man named Jontu
How their love for each other grew
He worked the fields for master Lery
She worked in the big house for him
Taking care of all his needs

Late at night after Master Lery fell asleep
She would slip out and meet Jontu
Under this special oak tree
Sharing their love for each other
Till  Sun began it’s rise


Christine asked her mother who is Jontu
Her mother hugged her tightly
Telling Christine...he is your father
Master Lery had him beaten every night
For loving me


He died from the pain and scars
Inflicted on his body
Never getting to see you his daughter
Never getting to hold you in his arms
Never getting to share his love with you


The other slaves brought him here
To this special oak tree
Where you were concieved long ago
He is buried here with his scars of the past
Paying the price for me and you


Copy Right 7/31/2021


~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

© Copyright 2021 Paul D. Wilson - All Rights Reserved
augustsky
Senior Member
Posts 828
midwest US
1 posted 2021-08-03 08:34 PM


Poet Paul Thanks for bringing this reader
into the personal struggle of their lives.

descriptive & compassionate..

Sky~

Gunslinger
Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901
TX, USA
2 posted 2021-08-04 12:03 PM


Well written, Paul. A very vicarious piece. Certainly gives us food for thought.
Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
3 posted 2021-08-04 11:38 PM


Sky...Thanks so much for reading and your reply. I realize this might be a touchy subject for some to address, but it is fact and I believe it shouldn't be swept under the rug.

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

Paul Wilson
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711
United States
4 posted 2021-08-04 11:39 PM


John...Thanks for taking time to read and reply. I hope all is well with you...Paul

~~To share my poems with you is to share my heart with you~~
Paul

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