I was sat on a bench in town, thinking as I tend to do. I were thinking of African-Amrican poet Philis Wheatly. And sharp quotes of hers. A work were in my mind. I just had to get that work down!




PHILLIS WHEATLEY 2 (Addishans)

Phillis Wheatley, her slave's name
What was her given name by her
Mother and Father will now never
Be known!

 

Taken in trade - as a slave - that is!

She were seven years of age!
Born free in Africa - shipped off to America

Sold off, a white husband & wife

Needed a companion for the wife
It could be said, luckily for the African girl!

The white couple took her to Massaches - America
There they gave her the name Philis Wheatly
Techde her English, and how to read and write
Soon she were set FREE!

Philis (Wheatly), Devlip into a poet
Time to time the white asked her questions

The usual kind
This must have annoyed, Philis, I know of some of those

questions, what follows, is a parquet work of what Philis replied:

'' Sir you ask me do I sing, do I dance! ''
'' Sir (Philis must have been hard-pressed to hold back what she relly wanted to say!)
'' Sir permit me to ask, do you sing and dance, sir, if I may be so Bold to ask you, Sir?! ''
'' Sir - I write - sir - I write sir if you please, sir!

'' Sir, mam you ask me about religion, sir - mam ''
'' We had religion, long before you white folk came to Africa and  Took us, Enslavde us!
As slaves to your God-fearing America, you took us! ''

Phils became a poet as I have said, due to the Black Lives Mater
Movement, now again being read, rediscovered!

 

GNU - Philis (Wheatly)

Ken D. Williams

The Dyslexic Wordsmith Ov Thanet







Poetry by ken d williams The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 120 times
Written on 2024-05-04 at 16:32

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