If Jenny and Sias Could Speak

Written By Diane Cooney

We came in manacles
Lest we try to escape
Torn from our homes 
And from out families
No willing immigrants
Auctioned to the highest bidder
Going once, going twice, sold.

Stripped of our birth names
Given new identities
Now Jenny and Sias
Our old ones taken away
Along with our God-given
Right to choose
All dignity gone.

We learned to obey
"Yes, Masssah Melbone"
We adapted and built lives
Dependent on the fortunes
And whims of our captors
We survived and
We clung to the hope of freedom.

As you look back on our time
Trying to understand
Let us speak to you of faith, courage and
Perseverance  in the face of adversity.

Let us inspire you to treat all people 
With respect and compassion.
And let our memory spur you on
To work for justice in your world.