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Beaver Dam Rocking Chair Marathon Tour Tour Log: August 11th, 1998
Featured poetry by Glenis Sherer
I am living under the dread of the confederate flag. In my heart I know... I am taller than plantation pillars. I am taller than academic towers. I am taller than the confederate flag flying. I've lasted five-hundred years of slavey There has been 3 Generations separating me from this grip. Count them 1-2-3 Five Generations of uneducated misery between me and my resilient ancestors. Their wilted souls like broken bones provide the blood in the red soil I sojourn on. I look back. I don't see no trail-blazed in glory just blood soaked cotton. They tell me roots are lovely. How would I know? I can't touch them. I can't hold them. I can't see them. I've only held them in my mystical hand. I've seen how they shrivel and shrink, when ripped from familiar soil. I've seen how vulnerable they become by air. They cannot breathe as I cannot breathe. I look back... I don't see no trail-blazed in glory just my last name forced on me by slavery, R-E-D-M-O-N-D. Redmond is too fragile to stretch across these atlantic waters. I don't have no last name neither does any other African brought to this american soil. There is nothing affirmative action can repair or replace in thirty years. Count them! Five Generations of blood soaked cotton! The new south cannot stand on the pillars of the old south. We can dress her up with Magnolias, Camellias Honeysuckel vines. Blood soaked cotton lets out a stench. I will not close my eyes to it. I will not go gently. I will do as Dylan Thomas says. I will rage. I will rage. I will rage. The berlin wall toppled as did USSR. aparthied did too. This flag will go down! And, I will be standing Taller... Taller than plantation pillars. Taller than academic towers. Taller than the confederate flag flying. This flag will go down. It will be gone with the wind. There will be no sequel scarlett, Because, frankly I do give a Damn! Glenis Redmond Sherer Site design by Summersault Last modified: (none) |