Some 400 years ago

the unruly Whites

began the mentality

that the inferior Negro

lay bound in shackles.

–

Years-long practices in abuse

pressed silent wonderings.

Dark ebony skin

were bound and forgotten,

disdain and denied. 

–

They tried to justify

the division of two worlds.

They fondled our own

with intimate moments.

–

They took our name,

our people,

our bodies,

our lives.

–

There was no remedy.

They felt entitled to our

black men and women.

–

One can not help

but to look back on this.

–

We were denied freedom.

Our people were forgotten

when Africans were taken

and made slaves.