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1860 Freedom March 1865
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By Phillip Phidippides
Other Poems by Phillip Phidippides



I have been watching the Ken Burns documentary on the Civil War while I ride my exercycle and have been quite moved by the pictures and quotes from the time.  This poem came out of that jumble of emotions.


 

1860 Freedom March 1865


 
bead of low country sweat

slips into ebony groove

unnatural channel, snaking, tortuous

trenched by Massa’s whip

 

drop of riotous blood

clinging to muddy lobe

releases, merges, blue-gray morass

roar no longer heard

 

rain indiscriminate

envelops trampled field

combatants converted

drab, dreary

monochromatic

 

today

all is still

dead are buried

chains released

stifling heat has lost its bloody stench

 

and yet, today

a wearisome tear freshly formed

abandons beleaguered face

trickles past taunts of 20th century

slips across manicured lawn

around sprawling veranda

to ramshackle shack

unites with pool of ancestors

shouldering indignity’s burden


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Submitted: Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Last Updated: Tuesday, March 27, 2018

About the Poet
Born and raised and live in Kentucky but I wear shoes most of the time. Nearing retirement and looking forward to spending more time with my wife of 36 years and our wonderful daughter and son-in-law. Have worked in the medical profession for over 30 yrs. Lots of changes! Started writing poetry after my father passed away in 2006. My sister passed away at age 50 and it has been a joy to help guide her five precious children and now we have six great-nieces and great-nephews. I am the guardian for my handicapped brother and my wife and I arrange for his 24 hr care. In reality, Willy's simple faith and absolute inexhaustible supply of unconditional love are probably the inspirational source for most of my poetry. He and I have easily watched more than 2,000 episodes of Mister Rogers together! "But a cheerful heart has a continual feast." He has a continual feast and is more than willing to share! If the world could look through his compassionate/non-judgmental eyes, this would be a much nicer place! (I have actually been posting on this site for a few years but a technological glitch erased me.)


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