slaveship

by Lucille Clifton

 

loaded like spoons

into the belly of Jesus

where we lay for weeks for months

in the sweat and stink of our own

breathing

Jesus

why do you not protect us

chained to the heart of the Angel

where the prayers we never tell

are hot and read as our bloody ankles

Jesus

Angel

can these be men

who vomit us out of ships

called Jesus Angel Grace of God

onto a heathen country

Jesus

Angel

ever again

can this tongue speak

can this bone walk

Grace of God

can this sin live

 

Original poem:

How can I write a song

As beautiful as one the bird sings

I’ve worked at this all day long

Can’t seem to get out the kinks