Anthem
by Leslie Noyes
Standing tall and proud
Voices raised in joyful praise
An anthem for us
Outside looking in
The disenfranchised hear but
An anthem for some
Until all are free
The lyrics are merely words
An anthem for none
Tag: slavery
Underground Railroad: A Review of Sorts
What if the Underground Railroad was an actual railroad? What if runaway slaves could hop aboard and travel to freedom through a series of subterranean tunnels? Aptly title, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, explores this possibility, following the escaped slave, Cora as she seeks a better life outside of the brutal one she’s known picking cotton on a plantation in Georgia.
While the concept of an actual train is pure fiction, the harsh aspects of Cora’s life are not. As a slave she was beaten for protecting a young child from the master’s whip and chose to risk the possible hazards of life on the run rather than submit to the certain abuses from those who own her.
The book has an odd cadence, and there were times when I backtracked and reread a page or two to get it to make sense to me. There is a certain dreamlike quality to some chapters, while others are stark in their recounting of cruelties rendered. But it’s ultimately satisfying.
This is a book for our times. As Cora finds peace in some destinations and horror in others we are reminded that there are still people in this world trying to escape these chilling truths, looking for a safe haven from cruel masters. We can be that safe haven.
Peace, people.
The Diggers’ Vote
Twenty years spent digging ditches, climbing through
stacks of detritus, too tall to fathom, too many fathoms to ponder.
Some streaks of weakened light leaked past guarded columns of
life’s waste and want. “I still cannot see the end,” came the distant scream.
“Just keep digging,” called a calm response. “You’ll hit paydirt one day.”
The foreman urged patience and tenacity.
Those digging broke nails and fingers and backs.
“Come election day who do you reckon you’ll be voting for?” Digger 1 asked Digger 2.
Digger 2 did not pause in her labors. “I like that Trump guy.” she said.
“He’s gonna build a big wall to keep them illegals from stealing our jobs.”
“Yep. That’s how I see it,” spat Digger 1.
“Quit your jabbering,” smiled the foreman. “Keep digging.”
What a Display
only a fervent belief
in the right to
free speech
and a strong sense
of self-preservation,
prevented my
thoughts from becoming
harsh words upon
encountering this flag’s
presentation.
right out in the open
with their unearned
privilege in full
view of capitol’s stage,
they peddled their
hated rhetoric
making light of the
bondage and bloodshed
of America’s own
darkest age.
Studly and I had visitors from Indiana this weekend. While the men played golf I took my friend LeeAnn to tour the historic Florida capitol building.
I’ve been to the capitol several times now and had never before encountered armed policeman in the old capitol building that now houses a museum. But on this occasion there were two steely eyed officers warily stalking the foyer.
Before I approached the reception desk I asked one of the officers if there was cause for concern. He assured me all was fine, so LeeAnn and I embarked on our tour.
While perusing a second floor exhibit of Florida’s extensive state park system something outside the window caught our attention. There on the capitol grounds was a full-blown demonstration of Confederate flag waving yahoos.
Every molecule in my body called for me to walk down the steps and ask the demonstrators if they understood that the flag is perceived as a symbol of hatred by every fully evolved human. Sanity prevailed, though, and I resisted the urge. That first amendment is a powerful thing. Well, that, and my desire to stay out of jail.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 