Sultry Summer's Evening
A frail…old Negro lady
…Born…in Lincoln's day
Who knew the taste of freedom
Only… when… she passed …away
Imprisoned… by the hatred
Which gnawed… within her soul
Agony written upon her face
… From the story…that she told
Of a sultry......summer’s evening
She was but…a child…back when
Her sister…was dragged away…in the dark
…By a group of sullen men
On horseback…silhouetted
Against…a glazed…moonlight
…And White folk...until her dying day
Reminded her…of…the night
When the cabin…in the clearing
Where the slaves called home
Was violated and desecrated
As she stood there…all alone
In the yard…and wept
…And silently…prayed
A vigil…with a purpose
Through the night…she stayed
Returning late…the next morning
……Of a sweltering day
They heaved a box…where she stood
… Without a word…rode away
...Though...they disappeared...forever...
Yet…their faces plagued her mind
…There…beside…her sister’s body…
Lying in the box…
.................................They made
............................................. ......................Of pine
Dedicated to my paternal grandmother, Sallie Virgie Earley 1855 -1948.....who was born into 'Slavery'...during...the 'American Holocaust, ' witnessed this moment...as a young child, and was consumed with a bitter hatred as a result of the experience. 'Sultry Summer's Evening' is a tribute to her memory....with the prayer...that she has...in death...found that measure of peace...which was so tragically elusive....during her sojourn.....on this earth.
poem by James B. Earley
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