Chains around my emotions

Anger 

at the massacre

women raped

men disgraced

children molested

anger

but at whom

the merchants who profited

The farmers who used

or the chiefs who sold

Dissapointment

at its present state

those who deny it happened

those who use it as an excuse

those who sentimentalize it

Shame

at its sight

those who once were

those who once owned

those who once justified it

Guilt

my sentiments 

towards the sons and daughters

of all who profited from it

The shackles are now rusty

the ship are rotten

the plantations are razed

the distinctions remain

the institutions stand

the excuses continue to echo

what then should i feel about slavery.

Twisted

She has me

Wrapped around her finger.

Like a band of gold,

Setting the seal

on a promise

of love undying.

The setting

for a deep blue topaz.

Our love,

forever bound tightly

by cords, twisted

from

strands of;

our first meet here,

our first kiss there,
our first trip here,

our first fight there.

strands of

my first vision here,

and your first dreams there.

Spun together

with the wax of

unfailing trust.

She has me

wrapped around her finger.

and what a  place to be,

the seat from which

a victor is declared

when the gods of love do battle.

Admonition

I dreamt my father spoke to me.

From beyond the grave he spoke to me about faces.

Never tire to stop and look around you, he said.

What you will see are faces you will quickly become accustomed to.

Faces of champions,

Veterans in the art of exploration,

Wise beyond their meager years,

Restless.

Straining at the leash to unleash their childlike dreams upon us,

Their eloquence all the more admired 

because tells us how to temper idealism with pragmatism.

Faces of followers.

Invaluable for their supporting roles.

Safe in the knowledge

that their work will never be interrupted

by those who wish to prey on the accomplishments of others,

because the limelight will always be fixed squarely on the champions

while the followers toil daily with bravery enough and to spare,

to stand up and be counted if and when needed.

I will never be too far from you, he continues.

You will recognize me as the face of a Lawyer, Doctor,

Enterprenaur, Teacher, Economist,

Engineer, Social worker or other professional

and just like you,

they will be of champions and followers.

Your face and mine are not so unlike after all.

Shining bright with hope and expectation,

Catalyst for the change yet to come.

Looking to stop

The conservation of our bright faces,

And start lighting the path

For our new golden age.

And to think,

I never knew my father.