Creator of the Heavens and the Earth
by Lester Allyson Knibbs
(formerly Hakeem Muhammad)
dragged them on the boats
chained their faces in excrement
erased their names
with their own blood
they built his mansions
he repaid them
with permanent disfigurement
he is the one
raped my mother's grandmother
and lynched
the child that was born
he is the one
arrested my brother
and killed him in jail
i fall on my knees
and touch
the hem of his robe
oh master
you are my lord
i sing your praises
and you will love me
barely more
than a baby
brutalized
by her parents
she was taken away
and treated kindly
after three days she said
i've been good
can i go home
i've been good
i clutch the home
of your garment
you beat me some more
my sores run over
my wounds do not heal
surely this sweet music
will follow me
all the days of my life
i have fallen
and i will not wake up