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Open Poetry #51
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Scars
| Open Poetry #51 |
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Scars |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States 
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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 |
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| © Copyright 2021 Paul D. Wilson - All Rights Reserved | |||
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augustsky Senior Member Posts 828 midwest US |
Poet Paul Thanks for bringing this reader into the personal struggle of their lives. descriptive & compassionate.. Sky~ |
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Gunslinger Senior Member
since 1999-10-09
Posts 901TX, USA |
Well written, Paul. A very vicarious piece. Certainly gives us food for thought. |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
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~~ |
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Paul Wilson
since 2002-07-07
Posts 4711United States |
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~~ |
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