Civil rights? People of all nations have enslaved others for centuries to serve them. It is, to me, a shame. This is a tribute to a woman, yes, she existed, who taught the other slave women on their plantation how to make quilts. She deserves our admiration!
*******

Dinah ... She Know

Snatched family,
stole from a tribe
in Africa.
Dinah ... she know.
Deep in the hold,
hungry, cold, peed,
chained to a pole.
Dinah ... she know.
Father, mother
died with brother.
She sold ... a dime!
Dinah ... she know.
Bred with natives,
stronger offspring,
to toil the land.
Dinah ... she know.
Shacks but no heat,
slaves stitched up quilts
lest they freeze, die.
Dinah ... she know.
Picking cotton,
emptying pots,
not enough food,
Dinah ... she know.
Beaten and whipped,
eyes swollen, black,
slipping under.
Her Master smiles,
healed her on sight.
"Welcome home."
Dinah ... He knew!

copyright 2008 Sandra S. Corona