In the Breeze

They took papa and tied cord around his neck

  

My daddy is not a fruit at all

And yet he hangs from the trees

Won’t respond to Mama’s crying call

And sways lightly in the summer breeze

 

He went away to the other land

Where there are no shadows or no dark

And it’s there that they tied his hands

Dragged him to the woodland park

 

They strung him up with thick cord rope

While everyone gathered round to gaze

Mama wept, blue eyes devoid of hope

The scene lit up  by burning blaze

 

A cloud sailed across the moon

My daddy’s eyes became all soft

And on that scorching night in mid- June

A burning cross was held aloft

 

The children ran in circles, sang

‘Hing Hang Hung,

‘Hung hing hang

See what the hangman done’

 

They had skin the colour of untainted snow

Just like Mama; Papa was as dark as night

Mine was light brown, cappuccino,

Just light enough to be alright

 

The pale ghost men laughed and poured

Tall cool glasses of fine white wine

And while Mama whispered to the lord

I noticed how white the moon seemed to shine

 

No, my daddy is not a fruit at all

And yet so often the hangman comes and goes

He’ll make an orchard in time for fall

Fruit a-swinging as the winter wind blows. 

Reviews

[Hannah!]

This gave me shivers. You did an amazing job writing this from a child's perspective--everything from the vocabulary you used to the rhyme scheme added to that effect--and I think that's what makes this poem so powerful. That, and the fact that somehow, in spite of the ugliness of the subject matter, your imagery made this poem disturbingly beautiful. You really did do a good job with this. I'm blown away.

[Enigma]

Wow!! That was simply outstanding. Magnificent, I'd say!!
I loved the flow, the structure and imagery...EVERYTHING!!
You created a very vivid picture up there. I could easily hear those men laughing, their galsses clinking, the prayers of the mother....it was as if happeneing in fornt of me right then..
Yes! The mood did shine unusually fo a while...^_^
Superb Write!!!

[lots fo love ♥]

THIS POEM IS GREAT. SO EMOTIONAL.sorry i didnt know i was in caps. anywho this poem would be an award winner in a contest called poems, poems, poems. i made the contest.

[Autumn's Child]

This is so incredibly deep. I had to read it again. Amazing, congratulations on your award!

[wizthom]

what a beautiful sad heartfelt write here,,in my opinion this should have taking first place ,,it has all the making of a classic write from the heart soul and mind,of a poet..peace u have the soul of an angel,,wizthom

[An owl on the moon]

Your words hold such power in the eyes of a child, humanizing so well this horrid, dehumanizing practice. Amazed how such horrors still haunt our world, taking different forms perhaps but with the same outcomes. May your words help us seek a better future to all who are to come. Deeply moving expression!!

[The Dark Passenger]

wow. just... wow. I wish I could say more except I'm just so... haha... wow!

[sutoraika]

never did i read such a disturbing work of art. and i love it, seriously. i love the way it was written, the sad words. it gives us youngsters the ugly picture of lynching and what effect it has on those left behind by the tragedy.

[C.T. Bailey]

Why would I "review" this piece. This is art in the purest sense. This work should "review" me. This is society in review...this is incredible...I am a writer that is searcing for words...how ironic is that. This is on my top 10 list. I now have a new benchmark.

Thank you...
TBailey

[Freedom]

wow, this is quite incredible. Those two opening lines are a really strong lead, i like that. and that assonance in the 7th stanza is really really good. Holy s**t, like, the more i read this the more i really appreciate how incredible it is. This is honestly one of the best poems i have ever read from an unpublished author. your representations work so well. wow, yeah, i definitely think you should publish someday.

[Celtic Cat]

Hard to tell which is more disturbing...the picture or the poem. This is a masterpiece, regardless. I had to read it over and over again to really let it sink in....and once it sunk....damn. THIS is emotive for sure. The saddest part is.....we're not so far from those days and there is still so much racism inbred - handed down from generation to generation.
Great delivery, as noted below...the sing songy verses contradicting the horrific subject matter is something I usually end up with myself....and completely enjoy. Great job!!