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
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