In My House

When you were in my house
you were not free--
in chains bound.
 
Manifest Destiny?
 
I was wrong; 
my plantation burned to the ground.
I was wrong.
 
This is my song, 
this is my plea: 
I was wrong.

When you are in my house, 
now, I am not free.
 
I feel the song
hurling itself back at me.
 
We were wrong.
This is my history.

I feel my tongue
stilting accordingly.
 
We were wrong; 
brother, forgive me.
 
Published by Black Medina