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Open Poetry #37
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Black Heritage Remembered
| Open Poetry #37 |
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Black Heritage Remembered |
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marcel Senior Member
since 2003-03-02
Posts 660az, usa |
Black Heritage Remembered We seldom gathered as a family but for that one reunion, Sweating in the humidity of the Alabama summer, Hugging, kissing, laughing and reminiscing; But I could not help but to stare into the eyes of the eldest, My great Aunt Bessie, with eyes a glassy blue Staring beyond the present, Rocking in an ancient maple wood chair; And as I watched her silent solitude on the porch, I glimpsed into the windows of her soul Drifting out of myself and into the past… What is time? When the mind seeps through ancestral hardship, Softening the blows of John Henry’s hammer As it cuts through the midnight air And reveals the past in a shower of sparks and strength, Embedding into my heart the resolve to carry on the burden; Painless palpitations stagger me to unconsciousness, But my eyes have never been more clearly aware…. I am awakened in the cool of the night, By the one they call “Harriet”. She took me by the hand like a lost child, As she waved goodbye to a future martyr (John Brown), And guided me underground to comfort’s arms; I call her “Mother Moses” Because she lead me under the sea of despair, And only in my dreams do I drown in her sweet tears... Floating endlessly within myself, Contemplating the tides of change A ghost ship invades my sight And rescues me from this emotional plight; Upon the deck he speaks with a rich and powerful voice, Leading the masses aboard in an uproar of celebration--- Marcus Garvey, a complex and exiled messiah has returned, To lead the oppressed to their beginning… Startled by quiet whispers of the stars, I feel the presence of greatness And feel energized by the atmosphere; A meeting of the minds, Differences put aside— One extremist, The other an intergrationalist, In a place born of Booker T. (Who now in heaven Has made his peace with Mr. Dubois, as they discuss The State of the NAACP), This grand stage of Tuskegee; Malcolm and Martin Now converse as brothers do, The past is left behind And the answers are discussed. I want to leave them in peace and in respect, But before I leave, Martin turns to me With watered eyes, and whispers, “Tell Coretta I’ll be waiting”. My tears are unseen by the two And wiped away by a bearded abolitionist, Who tells me America will be ok And through patience it will prevail. The smoothness and coolness, In which Frederick Douglas speaks, Empowers my journey further, But his words are now deafened by the sounds of gun fire And screams of “Black Power”; A black paw grasps my shoulders And pulls me from the raucous--- Wry smiles from Bobby and Huey Encourage me to stay strong, Before they lead thousands on a march To New Orleans, to re-populate devastation With a sense of pride after humiliation, So that New Orleans will remain, “The People's City”. With so much passion and hope instilled in my heart, The trance of pain and past transgressions is broken And I return to the Alabama heat with a new frame of mind--- One of thankfulness and pride to be where I am and have yet to go… On the porch, the old one just watches--- A smile across colorless lips and teeth For she knows the challenges still to come. Marcel |
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| © Copyright 2006 keith marcel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Air Goddess Member
since 2006-02-11
Posts 108Canada |
Great memories you have collected.. Marvellous poetry... |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Keith, this is absolutely awesome. May I keep it, print it out, share it? It should be printed on parchment, and framed. It's the best Heritage piece I've read in a long time. Thank you, for sharing your heart and soul. |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
"In a place born of Booker T. (Who now in heaven Has made his peace with Mr. Dubois, as they discuss The State of the NAACP), This grand stage of Tuskegee; Malcolm and Martin Now converse as brothers do, The past is left behind" This piece is absolute perfection. |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Excellent. Enjoyed, martyjo |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
amazing, profound and powerful write especially enjoyed: What is time? When the mind seeps through ancestral hardship, Softening the blows of John Henry’s hammer As it cuts through the midnight air And reveals the past in a shower of sparks and strength, Embedding into my heart the resolve to carry on the burden; Painless palpitations stagger me to unconsciousness, But my eyes have never been more clearly aware…. this takes the mind and spirit by the hand and says, "Look, See, and learn". Tremendous |
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ThisDiamond Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353Michigan, USA |
So much soul embued these fine verses of history held in a tender embrace. Awesome! Truly Keith, you have written another wonderful work, but a personal best for certain. TD |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
I hope with all my heart that you are a History teacher so that as many children as possible can be as enthralled as we are and learn that History is the wonderfully exciting, mysterious, beautiful, riveting story of Man! - Owl |
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James_A_Fraser Senior Member
since 2003-09-03
Posts 972Out Making Anticlines |
Classy -- I don't even like long poems, but I like THIS long poem! This rings true and good, from start to finish. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I kept highlighting different sections... but they're all worthy of extra attention! *S* Excellent write, start to finish! *S* |
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