LIFE AS A SLAVE

Born into slavery, my fate is sealed.
I often wondered what life outside
These four walls was like,
But now I care not.
Leaving would be nice,
But being caught would
Lead to a whipping.
I�ve worked hard to be
Where I stand now;
Wood floors instead of dirt,
Proper bedding instead of straw.

I have a new slave, fresh from Africa.
I have 6 months to train him,
To be a proper slave.
He�s a wild one,
He doesn�t want to be tamed.
Finally, he does the unthinkable,
He�s cut his chains.
He must run away.

He�s been found
And he�s being whipped.
Now he�s down on the ground,
And I finally understand.

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Written as a class assignment - grade 8, Language Arts, 2001-2002.

Inspired by Fiddler from Roots.