The Tree Of Death
By Bertha Davis

When I was a girl it was very hard for me to see
How someone could hang a man from a limb of a tree

Just because of his race and the color of their face
Many men died on a tree and what a disgrace

As I walked down the road through Swan Lake Plantation
I looked upon this tree of death in much frustration

The tree of death stood very tall as a reminder to me
Of the many black men who died before they became free

This horrible tree gave me goose-bumps as I would pass by
Staring at the leafless tree and wondering why did men die

On the side of the road in a lonely field
The tree of death left nothing but cold chills

Not just my wounded spirit but my heart fainted inside,
As I thought about the weeping voices of the men who cried

What a day of pain and agony that had to be
To those who died on that tall, gruesome ugly tree

Men were never guilty of the crime for which they paid
But because of evil men who lived by the law they made

They broke the law without even thinking of the people they hurt
It really didn't matter cause black people were treated like dirt

It was on the old tree of death that many lost their lives
Left poor little children alone and even their dear wives

The old tree of death is now a memory of the past
For those who have suffered but now are free at last.

Author's note:
I actually walked pass this tree on a regular basis going to a friend's house to play.

Bertha's website Bertha Davis
Email Bertha  Bertha Davis

Message To Luther!
By Nicole M. Stevenson

I listened to your voice on many lonely nights
Planting images of things I hold tight
Smiled at every high note you hit
Your songs were the hit
Everyone knew your name
You had listeners over seas
How many can say that with degrees
I cried at the tribute to your father and felt your pain
Now paying tribute to you will leave a stain
Forever in my heart, your gentle spirt
Yes, I cried when I heard the news
Smiled at the thought that you will be new
Your in good company, say hi! to all of those that inspired
To make us strive to be better artist

Forever Here N Now your fan written with Love Nicole M. Stevenson

Copyright ©2005 Nicole M. Stevenson
Email Nicole   stevenson15n@aol.com
Website  http://groups.msn.com/30Talent

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Have A Happy Memorial Day
By Monique Nicole Fox

Have a Happy Memorial Day
filled with remembrance and honor
of Veterans alive and dead
and also filled with glory to God
for your daily bread.

Have a Happy Memorial Day
filled with thoughts of peace and love
for Veterans, mankind, and God above.

Visit Monique's website  Monique Nicole Fox

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Hattie's Eyes
for Orlando Collins)
By Delores Thornton  May 2005

When Hattie's eyes were younger they held excitement and joy
It was a time of bonding for a mother and her baby boy

When Hattie's eyes grew older they expressed admiration and pride
Even on the occasions when I didn't measure up
I knew she was by my side

Hattie's eyes cheered from the stands, braving all types of weather
When I wanted to quit she insisted I stay, until I could get it together

There were times, in Hattie's eyes when I didn't do things to perfection
Yet, the flicker in her eyes made me realize
We shared a special connection

Hattie's eyes weren't always shown the best that I could be
But, Hattie's eyes always held a genuine love for me

Now, I stand a full-grown man thankful for the love that came to be
And when I look into Hattie's eyes, I realize
I'm looking at a reflection of me!

Visit Delores's website  Delores Thornton

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April is National Poetry Month and we here at Blackrefer.com salute the following poet:
My Manufactured English by Mikaylah Simone

My Manufactured English is a blend of art and music. Readers will almost be tempted to dance as they experience Simone's themes which include politics, religion, love, family and community. "Untitled" seeks to raise social consciousness as it points to all the "brown" people who have wars waged against them. "Inner Voices" contains Japanese Haiku like the one below:


Answering Machine by Mikaylah Simone

While you had stepped out
Worry called, left a message
Wondered where you'd been

"For the Sake of Religion" offers "Denominations" which looks at the hypocrisy of those who profess to be Christlike. It even points out the most segregated hour in the world; eleven o'clock worship on Sunday morning. "Ancestors Calling" shows the "Most heinous crime," using timelines of the Portuguese, British and American slave trade.

"Imitation of Life" addresses the fact that blacks have enslaved themselves as they lust after all that glitters! "Southern Sundays" provides a nostalgic trip as it speaks of "Hot combs in the kitchen," "Preacher's long sermons," and "Cornbread in the oven."

Simone's poetry, with its word sounds and images, surely evokes an emotional response. Masterful!!

Visit Mikaylah's website  Mikaylah

Beads of life
By Paula Hodges

The days go by in measured steps, like beads upon a string.
Thursday follows Wednesday, like summer follows spring.
Morning comes at close of night, as night time follows day.
But what I carry in my heart just never goes away….
The person that I am is still the child that I was
And that old woman I will be is here as well because….
Inside is where it all begins to spin the tale it does.

Like all of life is ordered out to march to unseen drums
My feet keep walking, taking me to meet what ever comes.
And though I often think how nice to sit and rest and wait….
The choice is never mine to make, it’s in the hands of fate.
So, as the moments of my life drift past me on the breeze
I wait for what the future holds within it’s hands for me.
And what I wonder most is how the very end will read….
Will I hear the doors slam down or will fate set me free.
Will I be something more? Or less? I have to wait and see….

Email Paula  Paula Hodges

Hoes and Tricks
By Brian K. Spidle

We provide food for foreigners when Americans are starving
follow rules in war when in war all is fair
send good people away who suffer from drug addictions and when their child acts out in school, authorities say they don't care
or, place them under labels, lets say attention deficit disorder which is totally out of order but they do this in order to better control our youth
or better yet hold them back cause the fact that they're black lets one fact be known
that if you teach them they will eventually learn the truth
now some may disagree, others agree reluctantly, however there are facts that speak in volumes and degrees in psychology.

I'm not a Ritalin child, yet I've witnessed first hand, those who are hopeless from improper diagnosis, six to eight years sedated because doctors were quick to medicate it, thinking that your child has a character deficiency when really it's medical officials' inefficiency that possibly has your baby going through this juvenile delinquency
So now I'm starting to wonder....
just because you have medical insurance is that assurance that the treatment you receive is official....
or just to have insurance at all in emergency situations is beneficial....
oh, I see, you can hustle there's just one difference....
on the block you'll go to jail
in the government it's called politics....
I guess now I understand the difference between been a whore or being a trick.

Email Brian   Brian K. Spidle