1920

Amid the grand people, places, and occurences written into our history often are forgotten the humble souls within whose stories lie the true lessons of history's "Big Picture."

 

I done all de work …      

 

Plowed de mules

Chopped de cotton

Cleared de forest

Lined de track.

 

I war’nt no trouble

I said yas suh

and no ma’am

I was mos’ a durn good hand.

 

Given ol’ Marse nineteen  chi’ren …

all boys to work  de fields

‘ceptin’ one onliest daughter 

for de Big House kitchen  ‘n ol' Marse’s bed

 

An’ when I died

they buried me in de field

b’hind the quarters

under a cypress tree.

 

I met my grandson today

an’ knowed  then the fruits of ma work

was watchin' his lifeless feets

... dangling from above.

 

 

Reviews

[Ashley.M.E]

This poem is really good, the old fashioned speech made the poem seem more realistic. Well done, is all I can say.

[Desert Dreamer]

A story to make us remember, this is a powerful story told in so few words. Such a sad story and well told. Thank you for sharing this poem.

[Elizabeth]

Wow, very powerful. You have a strong voice and the ending leaves the reader with a lot to think about. I look forward to reading more of your work. 100/100

[Scott A. Williams]

Very good poem, clear message, well delivered.

[just rose.]

This is so incredibly, incredibly sad, and invoked with perfect irony and grace for all the pain that's in it. Well done.

[mope]

I wish this thing could convey a silent nod of the head. This is a great way to portray a small slice of some of the injustice. It doesn't say it all, and it says it so well for that. Thought provoking (hopefully).