In collaboration with one of my favorite poets, we have created these two poems with two different , yet similar points of view.
Two Poets and Two Points of View – Align
Poet Talk with Sheree Ann Martines
How it Was for Black Men of the Railroads
Slaves moved from the fields to the railroad jobs
not called by their name, but names they called them.
Working on the railroad was hard for blacks
they risked their lives jumping from car to car
the color of their skin ruled what they did
taking risks not really a choice, you see.
Laws kept the black man from more skilled jobs
even though they had exceptional skills.
Laying track though rough lands and tunnels too—
shovels, picks, axes, explosives were used.
Bring along the wheelbarrows, ropes, and mules
driving heavy spikes precisely trued up.
Precision was important for setting rails
no doubt any slight difference caused death.
Derailment came if not measured right
and the black man made sure others were safe.
Black prisoners had the riskiest jobs
often left to die when falling from cliffs.
Nothing to be said for their souls right then;
they considered them less than valued life,
and the way they became such laborers
did not match the crime or even confirmed.
A Pullman job was prestigious, true
but they treated them just like equipment.
Life back then, the way they treated black men,
inspired the movements of civil rights.
Sleeping Car Porters had a brotherhood
inspired by treatment of these nameless souls.
It would be many years before a change
many souls would march for their civil rights—
Randolph, King, Malcolm X to name just some
to step forth for souls until kingdom comes.
…..
This poem was inspired from research I have done after learning of the black prisoners who lost their lives working for the railroads and the suspicious ways they came into being imprisoned. And for the treatment of railroad workers who went straight from slavery to continued enslavement, yet believing in a dream.
X Marks the Spot
Shandy sat at the dining table in Clarabelle’s home, and took a long, silent pause before opening up to her friend about why she moved from the nice, warm south to the cold Midwest winters in Iowa. “It’s like this, Clair, I came here to start over for a reason, and since Aunt Cherri had a place for me to bunk for a bit, I decided to give it a try, you see, I came here because I was escaping something.”
“Dear, you don’t have to explain yourself to me, I understand we all make changes for our own reasons, and, well, it’s really nobody else’s business.”
Looking Clarabelle straight in her sweet, soft eyes, Shandy’s brows squeezed with intent, and she spoke to these intentions, “I know I don’t have to tell you my story, but it is a story I want to tell, after all, I find the stories you have shared about Herbie really touch my heart, and, well, I want you to know about my true love, and who doesn’t like a good romance?”
Clarabelle nodded her head in agreement and smiled at Shandy, “well, when you put it that way, I am all ears, please do tell me your story.”
“It all began when I was just fresh out of high school, my friend since grade school, Mason, and I discovered we were falling in love, especially when I learned he would have to go to Vietnam, and, well, I realized right then that I could not bear losing him and I could not bear not loving him for all his worth, and, well, we go married shortly after realizing our mutual feelings and knowing he must go away, we wanted to stay together with a commitment of marriage, so we got married at the courthouse, and it was not long before he had to go away; when we got married there was the marriage certificate to sign by the “X” and Mark looked me in the eyes and said, X marks the spot but you have put a big red X on my heart ever since we met as children, and now you have staked your claim, for that I am forever grateful, and, well, I will never forget that, Clair, and I knew he was even more that one for me.”
*****
This is my story to contribute to Denise’s Six Sentence Story Challenge. This weeks word is “Mark” You can go HERE to join us or to see what other stories are waiting for your reading.
Ten Things of Thankful – February 5 2021
Good Morning to the first 2021 February TTOT! Let’s get at it!
- Fantastic Friday with rain and promises of sunshine on Saturday. That’s the day we go on an outing of sorts, usually short and sweet, but out for a bit.
- Feasting made possible by baking pecan encrusted trout which we bought at the fresh fish market. Prices were low and this made enough for two meals.
- Fixing things which are challenges, I did that this morning thanks to Google. Fingers crossed that it took.
- Finding out some bad news, but finding a way to fix the situation so it will no longer be a future problem.
- Finishing projects and finding more options to enhance what I do.
- Finding coffee in my cupboard every day, is no small thing for me.
- Finding a pilates video suggested by a friend and doing it this morning, skipping the knees. It’s a seven day challenge and just take a little time each day.
- Finding a message on my phone this morning from a friend who was checking on me and she is going to be my accountability person in the morning to help me get moving. I did not ask for it, but God knew my heart’s desire.
- Finishing touches are being made on the book cover and I cannot wait to see it.
- Finding out that there are people like you who like to share in thankfuls and, guess what, you can participate right here or share in comments.
Felicity the clownfish wants to know what you are thankful for…
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