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Specters of Slaves

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Nature trail extends for miles Surrounded by wetlands and lakes Each step I take brings me closer To an old plantation, where I climb the stiles For it was here that slaves once toiled To raise and harvest sugar cane Their cries and moans can still be heard And the Plantation’s magic is spoiled Within this forest are the echoes Of every gasp, every word Slaves once uttered in their daily trials In these deep woods, far from the meadows Spanish settlers claimed this site Where Natives suffered in their plight Shadowy specters never kissed by sunlight Reverberating sadness in a world void of light Written February 19, 2020 N/A in Joseph May's “Lines to Awaken Your Muse” poetry contest, judged March 2, 2020. Line Chosen: #4 by Robert Frost - “Whose woods these are, I think I know”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2020




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12
Date: 3/1/2021 7:00:00 PM
Wow! What a great social justice poem!
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Date: 6/17/2020 4:47:00 PM
Dear Carolyn, you not only bring back to life the suffering of slaves, but also manage to take the reader along with you to the same plantation, and for a moment we partake of their cruel situation. ~ Belated congrats re p.o.t.d. Hugs // paul
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Date: 3/14/2020 2:32:00 AM
Carolyn, you did it again my friend. Ernilando
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Date: 3/6/2020 10:00:00 AM
Wonderfully written. Such a beautiful building with such a torrid past.
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Date: 3/5/2020 4:59:00 PM
Best wishes, Caroyn! Panagiota xx This is superb writing. Panagiota xx
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Date: 3/1/2020 2:57:00 PM
Carolyn, your golden pen spills such powerful and poignant ink. You express man’s inhumanity to humanity in a haunting, captivating and melancholic way and shine a light on the ugliness of slavery. I loved the pensive aura of your brilliant poem. Belated congratulations for your well deserved POTD honor, my friend. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
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Date: 2/26/2020 3:28:00 PM
wow, you really brought the melancholy of it all. I think this should do very well in the contest, dear friend.
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 3/21/2020 1:56:00 PM
It didn't place in the contest, but thanks for reading!
Date: 2/24/2020 9:30:00 AM
Lovely penning Carolyn, showing the darker side of slavery and it's effects. Blessings,Gordon
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Date: 2/22/2020 3:52:00 PM
Carolyn, an amazing write about the darker side of our history. Congratulations on your POTD ~ John
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Date: 2/22/2020 2:22:00 PM
Congratulations on your POTD. Nice poem and picture. Wish it said what old plantation it is..............
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 3/21/2020 1:57:00 PM
I am having trouble remembering the name, but think it is St. George Plantation. Thanks for reading, Paula.
Date: 2/22/2020 12:58:00 PM
I believe this plantation is Oak Alley which I have visited. It is a magnificent old house, it's such a shame it has this dark past. Congrats on POTD, Carolyn. Hugs, John
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Date: 2/22/2020 5:50:00 AM
And what a drunken belt that is...Congratulations Charlie on POTD
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Date: 2/21/2020 10:55:00 PM
Looking at the photo here, and the beauty all around. Slavery isn't the first thing that enters my mind. It happened. Yet, there are times I forget- until I am reminded. Like here within your words. Congratulations Carolyn, on Poem of the Day. ~ Brandy
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Date: 2/21/2020 9:14:00 PM
Congratulations on POTD with your powerfully penned poem!
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Date: 2/21/2020 2:11:00 PM
Such a powerful piece Carolyn. many congrats on POTD:-) hugs jan xx
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Date: 2/21/2020 12:38:00 PM
I am so pleased to see this meaningful poem honored with POTD Carolyn. You already know how much I loved this poem by my Fave. Congratulations on your deserving POTD honor! xxoo
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Date: 2/21/2020 11:06:00 AM
Carolyn your poem paints a clear cut picture of the anguish and depressions of slaves. It's an amazing work and well penned. Congratulations on your POTD.
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Date: 2/21/2020 9:31:00 AM
Back with congratulations Carolyn on the honor of your poem been chosen as POTD. Blessings, my friend. Jennifer.
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Date: 2/21/2020 9:23:00 AM
Congratulations on POTD Carolyn. I sent you a soupmail:)
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Date: 2/21/2020 7:51:00 AM
Congratulations for POTD Carolyn :)
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Date: 2/21/2020 6:37:00 AM
Back with congrats on poem of the day, Carolyn and upon another reading I am adding this to my FAVE poems. So well deserved, my friend.
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Date: 2/21/2020 5:56:00 AM
Powerful write Carolyn...Congrats!! on POTD!! my friend...all the best from the Wingster...^WW^ :o)
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Date: 2/21/2020 5:16:00 AM
Wonderfully penned even in its poignancy. A part of history that will always haunt, great message in your lines. Congratulations on your POTD :) hugs
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Date: 2/21/2020 5:12:00 AM
"Their cries and moans can still be heard" this forever be true...Love the imagery that you've shared...it only goes to show...it's not over even after we're dead...Congratulations sweet Carolyn on POTD
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Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 2/23/2020 3:55:00 PM
You're right, Arturo. Earthly death is just the start of a new life. Thanks for reading!
Date: 2/21/2020 4:37:00 AM
- Heartbreaking and excellent written, Carolyn - Congratulations so much on your p.o.t.d. :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
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Book: Shattered Sighs