Grapevines

My ancestors screamed to the beat
With backs whipped tied to oak and maple trees
Light Skinned kerchief covered nappy haired in house yessum gal’s
By the way
Just so you know
This happened way before ROOTS was
A mini series on t.v
There was nothing mini about the series of
Events that took place on new world soil back in the days of massa and mammy belle

My family tree was uprooted...polluted...destituted and repotted in
Dirt and bloody unfamiliar ground
Next to weeds of bigotry...ankle chains and leftover pig innards
Seeds of mothers and fathers tossed and
Sold to whoever was lazy...horney and or thought in need
Seeds left to
Fend for themselves without breast milk from love and
An original tap
Cotton filled fields of sweat and
Bruised fingertips bled with hope and
Longing for the true nature of family tree sap
And word of mouth storytelling
So we never forget those
Passed downed whispers to our listening ears from
The dirt...tears and
The Grapevines

Alprentice is from Ann Arbor, MI and is currently studying creative writing, poetry and literature in San Diego. He is working towards his MFA in the arts and is a lover of all things art and music. He has been published in USC Social journals, City Works Journals in California and several journals in Michigan