HONORABLE MENTION - Evan Pope

“The Rebellior”

Born as a slave and wishing to

Wash away the pain his mother

Had to bear to birth him.

Received the messages from the lord to

Drive him far enough to escape,

Creating a rebellion for his people.

He wanted to erase the fury that they felt,

But knew that he could drive them

To fight against the powers that held him.

He knew the consequences.

He hid out in the woods to speak with them,

Wanted to remove themselves from the situation that.

They had no control over

The masters were waiting to take them

And kill them.

Just like the recoats that had been

Fought, they would turn their rags to red.

They would take the lives that they had fought so hard to live.

Two days, 48 hours is all it took

For them to suppress the rebellion.

They couldn’t have this on the records.

An example had to be made,

One that is tragic and unnecessary, although

For the masters, they didn’t care.

They were taken to Southampton,

45 others and 5 of the free were tried.

Insurrection. 15 were acquitted.

Why do they get the way out?

18 of them hung out for everyone to see

Because the masters have no conscience.

They tried to receive compensation,

Like those people whose lives are being taken

Are simply an apartment building that burned down.

They didn’t deserve such treatment.

His confessions later were taken down

And published.

The Confessions of Nat Turner,

Son, brother, cousin, But all they thought was:

Slave, traitor. They were wrong. He was worth

Every hour of labor that it took

To bring him into this world, even though it is

Cruel, at least others can learn from him.

And fight for their freedom. And win.

Nat Turner, executed for his crimes

During the rebellion, but crimes they hardly are.

A human being needs freedom and support,

These beings did not receive that and were

Expected to just deal with it.

A person can only deal for so long

Before their fight or flight kicks in.

He chose to fight, and although gone, he still has won.