Sent on ships with shark-rancorous crews That beat human beings Until blood bombarded the decks, Some Africans were taken to Saint-Dominique. Though oppressors lived to destroy joy, The stolen, worry-swollen Africans in a Caribbean, Mephistophelean-ruled land Defied tragedy’s tide and revivified hope. Years of lash and gash chattel anguish Inspired tears comparable to cloudbursts. Within [...]

Victory is known by those consumed with greed and driven by pride…. Always loyal….though tears may never fall from there eyes…. Emotionally void even in the loneliest of times… Seeming Heartless… But, you just didn’t realize…. That a true soldier suffers inside… And victory is there One, and only prize.. Other than to smile, and [...]

Prayer found in Chester Cathedral Give me a good digestion Lord And also something to digest. Give me a healthy body Lord With sense to keep it at its best. Give me a healthy mind Good Lord; To keep the good and pure in sight. Which seeing sin is not appalled; But finds a way [...]

Once you see What He sees Beyond our desires And the broken pleas You will think What He thinks That there’s more to this world Than the rubble of autumn leaves He will mend your scars Even forgive you your sins Clear away the dark clouds To make sunshine glimmer on your face For His [...]

The child’s first step, as awesome as an earthquake. The first time you rode a bike, wallowing up the sidewalk. The first spanking when your heart went on a journey all alone. When they called you crybaby or poor or fatty or crazy and made you into an alien, you drank their acid and concealed [...]

WHO dat knockin’ at de do’? Why, Ike Johnson, — yes, fu’ sho! Come in, Ike. I’s mighty glad You come down. I t’ought you’s mad At me ’bout de othah night, An’ was stayin’ ‘way fu’ spite. Say, now, was you mad fu’ true W’en I kin’ o’ laughed at you? Speak up, Ike, [...]

CARELESSLY over the plain away, Where by the boldest man no path Cut before thee thou canst discern, Make for thyself a path! Silence, loved one, my heart! Cracking, let it not break! Breaking, break not with thee!

Black trees against an orange sky, Trees that the wind shook terribly, Like a harsh spume along the road, Quavering up like withered arms, Writhing like streams, like twisted charms Of hot lead flung in snow. Below The iron ice stung like a goad, Slashing the torn shoes from my feet, And all the air [...]

O lonely heart so timid of approach, Like the shy tropic flower that shuts its lips To the faint touch of tender finger tips: What is your word? What question would you broach? Your lustrous-warm eyes are too sadly kind To mask the meaning of your dreamy tale, Your guarded life too exquisitely frail Against [...]