# 19... Sestina

This was a tough one for me to write. I am sure I am not going to be the first, nor the last to say, I STRONGLY DETEST WRITING SESTINAS!!!

Here is mine from the images chosen in class. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave comments on what I could have done different or what you think could/ should be changed.

Thanks.

History revisited

I look at my skin and feel the pain
of those that passed before me shackled
by chains. With tears in their voices they cried out with hope
for the day to come where they could reach
the end of their suffering and stop crouching over their dead loved ones mourning.

I look at my skin and feel despair.

Through the books of history I see in their eyes despair.
I see the scars on their backs revealing their pain.

Young children clutching what’s left of the only love they knew and mourn.

Bodies swaying from trees, innocent children sitting in jail, men and women shackled
like slaves. I try to go back in time to see if I can reach
anyone to help stop the inequality. But no one hears my plea to stop the insanity, there’s no hope.

Signs calling for desegregation show a sign of hope.

A sigh of relief heard, could there be an end to the despair?

Hands raised in unison grasping for some sort of freedom out of reach.

A glimmer of hope is seen on the horizon bringing joy to wash away the pain.

The physical chains removed, a people no longer shackled

to one another. The killing may cease, there may be no more reason to mourn.

Once swinging from trees, the bodies removed, given to those left behind to mourn.

Gunshots grow quieter, fading into the distance. Prayers are being answered, at least one hopes.

No more clamoring of steel, the iron shackles
removed. A brighter future awaits and there is no more feeling of despair.

The wounds begin to heal. The ongoing agony of inflicted pain
is no more. A sign of the long-awaited liberty is now within their reach.

The dead begin to rise, from the ground their hands reach
for the heavens. A nation weeps, cries for the useless killings through mourning.
Their eyes still hold their story as one sees the pain
etched in them. Warmth and smiles dance across faces with the advent of hope.

Yet starting a new life seems daunting not knowing where to go brings despair.

And the fear left inside leave men cowering as they did when they were once shackled.

Emancipating ourselves from the mental shackles
will set us free. Will help us strive and reach
the ideal life we fought for. There will be no more sorrow, no more despair.

The healing process will begin and the mourning
shall stop for the loved ones fallen. A new strength shall be instilled bringing everlasting hope.

Those that died before us died to take away our pain.

The shackles now fully removed or are they? Ceasefire – a call for hope.

Freedom once unattainable has now been reached? No more reason for despair?

Mourning for useless killings now part of the past? Is this the end? Will there be no more pain?