Snatched and bound, loaded on a slaver’s ship
Spoon style in the stench of my countrymen
Sweat to sweat against our skin lost in darkness
a floating hell
* * * * *
Standing on an auction block, examined as if
livestock, my ass, my breast, exposed to the
delight of men who changed my name, leading
me away in cutting chains
* * * * *
Forced to clean his slop, cook his meals, lay
beneath his grunts and squeals, birthing children
for him to sell, trapped in this place, I will not
forever dwell
* * * * *
Running fast into the woods, vowing no longer
to be considered his goods, open arms kept me
hidden from sight, trusting in those sympathetic
to my plight
* * * * *
Finding my way to freedom land, away from
a master, whip in hand, my fate now mine
on my own, no longer tethered, free to roam
______________________________________________________________________________
Aurora M. Lewis is a retiree in her late sixties, having worked in finance for 40 years. In her fifties, she received a Certificate in Creative Writing-General Studies with honors from UCLA. Her poems, short stories, and nonfiction have been accepted by The Literary Hatchet, Gemini Magazine, Persimmon Tree, Cliterature Journal, Jerry Jazz Musician, The Blue Nib, Pilcrow, and Dagger, to name a few. Aurora has been nominated for two Pushcart Prizes as well as The Best of the Web.
