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.