Manatita is an esteemed author living in London, UK. He writes spiritual books, flash fiction and esoteric poetry, his favourite genre.

My Underground Queen

My underground Queen, elegant, serene … majestic,

Speaks of Love silently, like an immaculate rose,

In a language singing sweetly to my heart.

Her dhuku gele elaborate head-wrap, woven from the finest

Silk in Africa, adorns her charisma, like an Egyptian princess.

I see her, eyes steady, ebony cheeks glistening

From the glint of summer, nose molded with care and

beauty; laced with the genes of ‘Mama’ Africa herself.

She carries her bearing well, with poise … dignity,

Stateliness and modesty, like the goddess that she is.

This unsung Empress, like one standing against injustice,

Wears her head-wrap, like a Queen would wear a tiara;

Sweet neck caressed by sky-blue raiment’s, of the finest silk.

I see her on my daily commute … proud, flawless, forceful;

As regal and candescent as the moon. Not vain,

But an untainted lioness, drawing effortlessly

From the vigour of ancient warriors. Our eyes meet,

She smiles … like Nefertiti, a Nubian goddess, her eyes,

Like magnetic resonance, scanning the very depths of my

Soul, cautious, penetrating … looking for signs of affinity.

I feel the depth and power in her fortitude … the deep scars

Within this royalty of the sun … steadfast, zephyrs waltzing

With her garment where she sits, a true messenger of Love.

She’s a significant part of a network, ferrying escaped slaves to Freedom –

That unalienable right, given by the Divine which slave-masters, inflicting a

Legacy of supremacy and indifference, seemed not to respect. So, here’s

My Queen, one part of a convergence of several undercover efforts,

Designed to remove the chains, so brutally inflicted on innocent humans,

Whose only crime was a love of freedom, in their own African haven.

I now know my Queen has purpose. This royal Empress,

This rare diamond, is like a fine vintage, made from pressed

Berries, straight from the sacred vines of Nubia, in the

Kingdom of Tush. She is the quintessence of finesse, yet

Powerful, a selfless risk-taker, fighting unbowed against man’s

Inhumanity to man, in this … our sacred earth.

She reminds me of lotus flowers,

Sitting gracefully on a lake, and I could dance in her garden

Forever. Yet she’s here, mesmerizing, her beauty

Adding lustre to the carriage window, and I’m proud to sit beside her.

As this is no ordinary metro, but an underground railroad –

A secret and clandestine resistance movement, which led to the

Freedom of countless slaves to the North. Yes, this is no ordinary

Queen, but a Moses of her people, A dauntless heroine bleeding,

Removing the echoes of burning pain, inflicted

On the blood of her ancestral people.

Je t’aime; Yo te quiero, más hoy que ayer; pero no tanto como

mañana; Na cu penda sana; me do wo pa pa pa; aii!

Manatita, The Lantern Carrier. 4^th January, 2020.

Credit: The Spanish is taken from a wooden tablet given to my wife around 1979. It contained the name of the Spanish author, which I have forgotten. I have seen it used in songs by different people on the internet and also done by a Hubber here.

The Underground Railroad was formed in the late 1700s. It ran north and grew steadily until the Civil War began. It was a network of secret routes and safe houses, or ‘stations’, established in the United States during the early to mid-19th century.

It was a clandestine operation, organized by resistance movements of different colour: slaves, ex-slaves and abolitionists, concerned about the grossly inhumane treatment of the many innocents, taken predominantly from Africa, to become slaves. One estimate suggests that by 1850, 100,000 slaves had escaped via the "Railroad". Some routes led to Mexico, where slavery had been abolished., but some routes ran towards Florida.

These safe-houses were used by enslaved African-Americans to escape into free states where many were sympathetic to their cause. Canada was also one of the ports of call for the freed slaves. The emancipators were all daring men and women of various walks of life, who bonded together in the cause of freedom for the enslaved. They sheltered and aided those escaping secretly and were collectively referred to as the "Underground Railroad".

Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth were both slaves – notable figures - who played hugely significant roles in the call for freedom from bondage of the many shackles and other modes of oppression from their slave-masters.

Ref: Wikipedia.org

Author's note

As I am known in poetry circles here in London, I was approached and given a painting to write a poem on. As such, I subsequently learnt the history of the Underground Railroad. My Painting is called My Underground Queen. Little did I know that it is a different type of underground.

The Underground Railroad

© 2020 manatita44

Comments

manatita44 (author) from london on March 17, 2020:

Appreciated Emge.

Occasionaly you tell things I didn't know. We all learn together. In a way, I'm very happy I wrote this poem. It seems to help others in different ways. Thank you, Bro.

MG Singh emge from Singapore on March 16, 2020:

This is a very touching tale about a fact I never knew. That sir is an education for me and brought out so succinctly by your genius. Thank you.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 09, 2020:

Hi Rodric,

Glad you enjoyed this seemingly current theme. Appreciate it, Bro. Peace.

Rodric Anthony from Surprise, Arizona on March 09, 2020:

Your writing is always so full of passion, so emotive. I enjoyed the virtual carriage ride through your wprds

manatita44 (author) from london on March 05, 2020:

Me too,

we are learning together.

This is a comprehensive contribution from you. Thank you so much!

Venkatachari M from Hyderabad, India on March 04, 2020:

Manatita, this is an excellent post with beautiful poetry and details about the selfless heroes serving humanity. I didn't know about this underground railroad or this wonderful queen striving for the freedom of the slaves. Very much interesting and educative article.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Bro.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 03, 2020:

Yes.

I know of her. There's another that visited London some years ago. She meditates.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on March 03, 2020:

I just wanted to say that the first picture I remember of Sri Chimnoy was with Ali. Can't find where. Laila 24 and 0 is also our hero.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 03, 2020:

Harriet Tubman says that she never lost a slave, but it seems that some did. One of the Agatha Christie movies touches on this and some did die.

Anyway, I'm more of a positive vibrations guy and while this aspect of human cruelty and indignity has its purpose, I do not usually dwell on it.

Love is never stagnant but evolving and we move on.

So good to see you! Welcome here and thank you for your support.

Diane Denison from Cincinnati Ohio on March 03, 2020:

I really enjoyed reading this excellent articles. I live in Cincinnati Ohio. And I have a six sense that when they were crossing the South To The North that the city of Cincinnati that has the Ohio River that separates the South from the North was cruel to them and murdered many innocent people fleeing in fear for their lives. They thought in joy they made it to the North and are free. I can once awhile feel and see the terror they felt. I am living on cold grounds.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 03, 2020:

Yes.

Today I wrote a piece for International Women's Day. You guys are potentially awesome and some show this most powerfully in their lives of sleepless service.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on March 03, 2020:

Manatita, I have read about Harriet Tubman and was really impressed at how much courage she has. She is indeed worth honouring.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 03, 2020:

Thanks Linda.

Being empathetic is a very big and useful step. I do say - if it helps - that man's inhumanity to man is not new. We have lots of problems in modern day society, just covered, more sophisticated or covert. But yes, awareness can and do help sometimes. Have a great day!

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on March 03, 2020:

Thank you for crafting these verses to shine the spotlight on these selfless women. They were truly angels and put the needs and lives of others ahead of their own concerns. An inspiring story tinged with sadness--sadness that there was the need to help others escape slavery.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 03, 2020:

Nice example. Guruji met him three times or more. He was actually very spiritual. One day - God's willing - I will do a piece on him. He has 'soul force' and tremendous inner and outer capacities!

Now Paul was deeply mystical in my view. More so than any of the other Disciples. He was a deeply devoted soul, one full of devotion and many refer to him as the first Christian. Perhaps because His model life and influence was so great. Now I will go over to your Hub as I have been meaning to. Much Love.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on March 03, 2020:

It is so cool Manatita, Mohammed went into jail to protest a bad "war". He was a fighter who could not and would not kill. My son was amazed at his transformation from Cassius to Mohammed --- read Saul to Paul.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 03, 2020:

Thanks Eric.

I stumbled upon another video a.m done by an American. It mentions the $20.00 bill but does not say whether it was done or not done. So it's probably one of these well-intentioned things just sitting there. Most of America seem to agree that she was a great American.

Following her story, I continued with one on Maya Angelou. Amazing! One guy said it was as if she led 10 lives in one life-time. Guruji sent us (Two people) to meet Maya in London once. Her performance was electrifying! She agreed to see us backstage but I saw straight away that she was extremely tired and exhausted.

She received us graciously. She gave so much! Some people come into this world, sent my God as Vibhutis (Great souls). Their work potential is designed in Heaven. They play their roles then leave.

Mohammed Ali was also one of them. Selfless outside; selfless inside. Guruji met him at least three times. Love to you, Bro. Since you like him, then respect the name he chose. Much Love.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on March 03, 2020:

You do well here bringing this to forefront. I paused and realized most people know nothing about this. We just finished our Black History month, shared with Canada and the UK. How fantastic. My son chose Cassious Clay as his hero. Thank you. And again beautiful here.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 03, 2020:

Hi Lorna,

You like my word, eh? Thank you very much.

Devika,

True. Thank you so much!

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on March 03, 2020:

This is new to me and you created an inspiring hub on the African Queen. So much to ponder on here and about slavery is another side of that life.

Lorna Lamon on March 03, 2020:

I wasn't aware of this history Manatita so thank you for sharing. A tragic time and your poem gives special meaning to this 'Unsung Empress'. Beautiful and moving.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 03, 2020:

Thank you, Linda.

My writing this or rather making the connection with these American heroes, is coincidental.

Yet your point is valid and February gone seems to be Black History month in America. Ours is October.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on March 02, 2020:

This is a very interesting and inspiring article, Manatita. I had heard of Harriet Tubman before, but I had never heard of Sojouner Truth before I read your article. The operators of the Underground Railroad and those who worked to abolish slavery were brave people that should never be forgotten.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 02, 2020:

Thanks Rosina.

I was only asked to write a poem about the painting. I did and they liked my work.

I believe I saw the discription two days later and I changed some words to do justice to a painter who is now in heaven. Before that I did not know who or what it represented.

Eric,

That's great! What I heard concerns her face on money. The person said that it was not approved but he did not think it was a nice idea in view of what slavery represented.

You will know better whether she appeared on the paper bill. My info is that so far it has not been approved. That' all. Thanks guys. Keep it healthy.

Rosina S Khan on March 02, 2020:

I thought this poem was just about an African Queen. Little did I know you were going to talk about her helping escaped slaves to freedom. Thank you for explaining the "Underground Railroad" and why she is called "My Underground Queen". A great hub, Manatita.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on March 02, 2020:

I am totally not getting this. We have a park named in Tubman's honor and displaying. We hold her out above others. She was not a dark part. She was what we love. She shined. This was not a dark time. This was illumination. I will hold my tongue further.

manatita44 (author) from london on March 02, 2020:

Thanks Ruby.

I was commissioned to write a poem from a painting entitled My Underground Queen. Turns out it was all about this subject. Didn't choose it deliberately, but yes, there's light in darkness and everything helps. Thank you so much!

Bill,

You're a great fan of my poetry, I know. Funny, if I choose to become topical, I'll be awesome, as in general my fans both online and offline, like the pieces that they can relate to more. I, however, am here as a servant of Him and so mostly I like the pieces with a more direct inner message. Gratitude.

Fatima,

Asalamu Alaikum! Welcome here. Thank you so much! No one has put it so powerful in such a short sentence. You're very receptive to my work.

Pamela,

I understand. Me, am all about love and do not necessarily dwell on these things. Ultimately everything shapes us, but yes, I find that black people in general needs an identity in order to move on.

Guruji used to encourage us to give spiritual talks in the black community, as he said that Spiritual Masters come for the entire world and there was so few of us. Yet when we did, I found that some blacks were more into the identity and separation game.

Spirituality is all about the oneness of life … of God's creation. Separation from whatever colour does not work. All successful conglomerates work as a Team. Effectiveness is like that. Thank you so much!!

Peggy,

That song - as stated by Wikipedia - was one of the more popular ones. There are a few and I did like one of yours more. I may yet learn it for public performances. Thank you so much. You highlighted some decent sharings and I was very grateful to see them, especially as they related to my commissioned work. Peace.

Yes, Eric,

I read somewhere that they wanted to create a stamp for her, which has not happened. However, one black man said that money and greed was a big part of slavery and Harriet Tubman's face on money was not a good idea. Makes sense. Perhaps they should build a monument or even a shrine in her honour. She was American, after all. Gratitude.

Donna,

My sweet. You remind me of beauty and struggle. Just musing, but in a strange way, it is a complement. Perhaps you understand what I am saying. You have been in the darkness and now you see the Light. Isn't that beautiful! Light must descend into darkness, there is no other way. That is what the Prophets do.

Chris,

And 'thank you' for enrichening this Hub. I knew all that from reading, yes, but I wanted to just do a succinct summary. It is all about Love, bro. Eric, Bill and I, repeat this all the time. It is the message of my Guruji.

As regards cruelty and barbarism, they are still here, aren't they? More sophisticated. We sometimes forget, that in the process of evolution, man has always been inhumane to man. Life's struggle. So thanks guys. I go out a lot! Sorry I'm late here. 01:15 hrs.

Chris Mills from Traverse City, MI on March 02, 2020:

Brilliant work, manatita, and solid history as well. My hometown of Marion, Indiana was one of the places where runaway slaves could find refuge. The Quakers of Grant County, Indiana were associated with Levi Coffin who worked tirelessly to escort enslaved people to freedom through a corridor that ran through parts of Ohio and Indiana. I am proud to have been raised in the Quaker tradition. A prominent family in the small Quaker church my family attended was the Shugart family. Their ancestors had a home along highway 37 that was utilized by the underground railroad. Such a rich history. Thank you for writing so eloquently.

Donna Rayne from Sparks, Nevada on March 02, 2020:

Beautifully written, thank you very much for sharing this with us.

Many Blessings,

Donna Rayne

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on March 02, 2020:

Beautiful Poetry and a very important message. We learned about this in elementary school, again in middle school and again in high school. And that was back a long time ago.

Harriet Tubman is a true American hero.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on March 02, 2020:

This history of slavery is a dark part of our past here in the U.S. The underground railroad proves that some people went to extraordinary means to help the escaping slaves as they made their way towards freedom. I had never heard that song in the video at the end of your post. Good one!

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on March 02, 2020:

The poem is splendid. The underground railroad was wonderful for those that escaped slavery. This whole article is beautiful and I can't think of anything more to say about this beautiful article.

Fatima aftab from Lahore punjab Pakistan on March 02, 2020:

this is way too good!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on March 02, 2020:

Absolutely beautiful! I have no other words, but none are necessary.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on March 02, 2020:

I am so happy that you are writing about the horrible past of slavery. Racism continues to exist here in America, only it's kept under wrap.