This poem is dedicated to the memory of Alex Haley's grandmother Queen, from the book that bears her name. It is also dedicated to Vyry from Margaret Walker's book Jubilee. Both women were the result of the plantation owners forcing themselves on their mothers. My husband asked me to write a poem for Black History and this is one of several.I tried to imagine what these women went through.
Grandaddy’s Secret
Granddaddy was a wealthy landowner
He was strong and proud and brave
His property stretched for miles
He owned several plantations and many slaves
Respected in the community
A church elder and state senator
Grandmother his wife was so beautiful
One daughter and three sons for him she bore
But Grandpapa had a secret
I knew it very well
I promised myself I would keep it
I said that I would never tell
Late in the stillness of the night
While his household was still sleeping
Down to the slave quarters
My grandfather went a creeping
I heard him tiptoe past my door
And followed him outside
As he went into the ramshackle cabin
I found myself a place to hide
Just before Easter, the slaves began whispering
And grandmama seemed very sad
I wondered what was going on
To make her feel so bad
I finally got my answer
On a cold and frosty Christmas morn
There was a lot of excitement
About a slave baby who had just been born
I saw my grandma run from the cabin
She was trembling as she was weeping
Peeping through a crack, I saw black women
Looking at a white baby boy who was sleeping
Imagine my shock when I realized the truth
This slave child looked more like my granddaddy
Than my father his sister his brothers or me
Or anyone else in our entire family
© 2020 Cheryl E Preston
Comments
Eiddwen from Wales on February 23, 2020:
Written with depth and in such simplicity. A great poem and I look forward to so many more by you.
Cheryl E Preston (author) from Roanoke on February 05, 2020:
Thank you so much ch for reading
BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on February 05, 2020:
Cheryl,
I'm sure this happened quite often.
Your poem tells the story completely putting each vision in my mind.
Thanks for sharing.
Cheryl E Preston (author) from Roanoke on February 05, 2020:
Thank you for your encouraging words Lorna.
Lorna Lamon on February 05, 2020:
This brought back memories of a movie I watched called "Twelve Years a Slave". Such suffering. Another powerful and very realistic poem Cheryl and an interesting take from the point of view of one of his children. You are a talented poet.
Ann Carr from SW England on February 05, 2020:
As with your slave girl poem, this is powerful and has its strength in the 'matter-of-fact' way you have written it. It's well-crafted and you draw us in to the scene by telling the story through another's eyes.
Ann
OLUSEGUN from NIGERIA on February 05, 2020:
Uhm. Mixed memory.
Anya Ali from Rabwah, Pakistan on February 04, 2020:
Good poem.
