Yesterday, I did a little research and reading about Juneteenth, and I was inspired to write this poem. Slavery should not have happened. It should have never started to begin with in the 16th century.

I hope wherever you are, you are enjoying the day, learning something new, and enjoying time with family and friends. Happy Juneteenth!

–AJM

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what would the world look like 

if no one decided
that men, women and children
were no better than savages
because of their skin color
because they didn’t live in houses
with picket fences
and cobbled stones

if no one said
i’ll take this one and then that one
stuffed them into watery cages
where people suffered, died and bled

if no one said
work this land or we’ll kill you
or rape your women, or beat your children
you’ll know no life other than terror
you’ll know no life other than work
to feel the rotten sting of shame
to not know your self worth

what would the world look like

if someone had said
show me where you come from
i’d like to understand

if someone had listened

would they know
their crime would crush
hundreds of generations

what would the world look like

if someone had
backed away
took themselves home
and worked the land themselves