I am in the hands of
the Almighty—the God of my ancestors’
strife, of lonely nights and staggering
steps—of blood that’s thicker than
water—of waters deep and forbidden—
the Abyss into which to fling oneself.

I submit to the craters of history,
inevitable, lurching forward to bear
me hence, cradling my back
as I remember to stand tall

—my  yoke is easy; though
your DNA bear the mark
of the lash, I am with you.

` rlw

Photo of the night by Lukas Robertson on Unsplash
Photo of “I am with you” by the HoneyBear