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Northern Slaves

In the silent breathing of night, treading through the darkness and the hush (A heavy band of slave) like black ants snaking through the forlorn distance. Grieving with tears Of yesterdays burning anguish. They hum a languid song On the fragrant breath of wind. A haunt that invades my trembling eyes With a thousand boundless tears That quivers through the night. The dreaded echoes came down the black pathway Like a thousand men Galloping through the sultry breeze (Were the heartless whips that toiled) With dumb hands, Feeding paled pink flesh With endless stings of cruel misery. The stars curled around their naked feet As they trampled the grass Wet with lurid dew and the masked Beds of fragrant hues Prancing in the hallowed night. I could feel the storming of their sorrows, The rock of their heart Drooping with defeat. Despair a master to their fading hope That sailed across their faces. Oh those foul notes budding with despair Branched within their eyes. The lulling whispers of their shackles United with their treading feet like hooves Cloaked with heavy weariness (It surrounded the dead of night) I hung up my fears For I was bright with their pain Oh I died that day Oh I died that day While drifting to the helpless East To that damp cold earth filled With drowsy mournful Asters Then the smell of dead men came alive Black dogs clustered to the earth Their children beside them with gripping hands!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013




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Date: 8/19/2017 9:54:00 AM
Powerful truth beautifully expressed, Mustapha. Such a brilliant work of poetic art. Your skilled pen held my eyes throughout this terrifying journey. Great poem. May love light your path always.
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Date: 8/19/2017 8:15:00 AM
Very powerful piece, wonderfully written.
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Date: 11/23/2015 9:11:00 AM
I have a student who is reading this poem for competition, but it must be published. Can you tell me if it is published and if so where I might find it. Thank you!
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Date: 3/20/2015 8:10:00 AM
Words can't express the emotions of this poem. Once I read the line "like black ants snaking through the forlorn distance" my eyes were glued to the screen. I also loved the line "black dogs clustered to the earth". Such haunting comparisons!
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Date: 9/16/2014 4:06:00 AM
Hello, I am wanting to use this poem for my A Level English Literature Marxism coursework, but i need to know more about you as a poet. I have tried researching you as much as possible but couldn't find very much. I would my very greatful if you got back to me so I could question you about your carrer and this poem. Many thanks Illanna x
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Date: 11/9/2013 6:18:00 AM
Coming back to revisit what I think is your best.....what an awesome piece..you could turn this into a novel....I'd love to see more stories! Have a beautiful day Mustapha
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Date: 11/1/2013 4:10:00 PM
A very intense and dramatic poem, Mustapha. It is one of those poems which tugs at our heartstrings. Amazing work!...Thank you so much for the nice comments, once again!
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Date: 9/24/2013 3:55:00 PM
I hung up my fears....need I say more?
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Date: 8/30/2013 9:04:00 PM
Absolutely sad and heart wrenching is this piece about slavery...a journey that no man should ever make...a journey that alters the human psyche for generations! Amazing how you captured the essence of this journey! This definitely goes to my Favs List., Mustapha. Thanks for sharing this. Always, Annalise
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/31/2013 9:13:00 AM
Thank you for your lovely feedback Annalise. Its so nice to hear from you.
Date: 8/26/2013 5:28:00 AM
This brilliant sorrowful work left me stunned! It is a masterpiece.
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 7:16:00 PM
Thank you Monterey for your wonderful review. Hugs.
Date: 8/22/2013 8:18:00 PM
truly one of your best 10poems and skillfully done. . .
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 7:12:00 PM
Thank you buddy for your kind review.
Date: 8/21/2013 3:06:00 PM
I am nearly dazed reading this powerful stark truth and sadness to the very core. Absolute brilliant metaphor. WOW
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 7:05:00 PM
Thank you for that lovely review Karen. Have a great weekend ahead.
Date: 8/14/2013 4:12:00 AM
A very profound piece of writing. A bit sad though...Nice use of symbol and imagery.
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:59:00 PM
Thank you Christine for your kind review.
Date: 8/14/2013 1:17:00 AM
An awesome write, Mustapha !!! - Well done! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:54:00 PM
Thank you for your great review my friend. oxox
Date: 8/13/2013 5:05:00 PM
Mustapha....no words will come....I'm just honored to have read it....
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:50:00 PM
Your words are enough to make my day Donna.
Date: 8/11/2013 7:26:00 AM
You are a gifted writer Mustapha, I am moved by your words. Straight to my favorites.
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:44:00 PM
Thank you Richard for your kind review always partner.
Date: 8/11/2013 6:15:00 AM
WOW M&M.. This is one of the best and powerful poems... YET! deep... always...Linda
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:38:00 PM
Thank you Linda for your kind review on this one. Have a great day ahead.
Date: 8/10/2013 7:37:00 AM
Mustapha, your poem is deep and emotional, I feel the pain in your words, well expressed and well written. Constance
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:36:00 PM
Thank you Constance for your encouraging review.
Date: 8/9/2013 8:14:00 AM
beautiful poem friend Mustapha..thanks for sharing this. Have a nice day :)
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:31:00 PM
Thank you Maria for your kind comment. Have a great day also friend.
Date: 8/7/2013 10:49:00 AM
hi, mus... looking forward to your new work... have a great day!..:) huggs
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:30:00 PM
Thanks for all your kindness my friend.
Date: 8/7/2013 2:28:00 AM
Oh my Mustapha...Every line is an absolute gem...'The stars curled around their naked feet'...'Oh I died that day, Oh I died that day' WOW...
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:17:00 PM
Thank you Tim for your lovely review. Wishing you a wonderful day.
Date: 8/6/2013 6:58:00 PM
You have brilliantly created a scene of pain and suffering. Sadly, there have been so many abused and deprived people in this world. You have a very noble heart to write like this. Thank-you, sir!
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 6:04:00 PM
Thank you Duke for your wonderful review.
Date: 8/5/2013 9:55:00 PM
Stunning imagery in this hauntingly sad write, Mustapha...Excellent piece! Annalise
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 5:57:00 PM
Thank you for your lovely review Annalise. So nice of you to stop by.
Date: 8/4/2013 8:58:00 PM
So much surprise in your language. I want to read this over again. Have added to my Favs. Thanks for your talent and sharing. SuZ
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 5:53:00 PM
I had to make some adjustments in some of the words I used but now it stands as a better product.
Date: 8/4/2013 5:06:00 PM
nicely done poetry ;},,, thank you for reading my The Great Swan" ;}
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Mustapha Mohammed
Date: 8/30/2013 5:47:00 PM
Thank you Debbie for your kind review on my poem.
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