Slavery? In Libya? Only?

This slavery in Libya thing is a touchy subject, so it’s quite difficult to speak objectively about it; …for two major reasons:

1. This is slavery we’re talking about making its way back to the African continent where it began, some sort of homecoming.
2. I fit right into the racial demographic of the slaves being shown in Libya. What an insensitive perspective an objective one would be.

If I am to close my eyes to these reasons trying to bar me from having this conversation, and consider the case objectively

Rat Race

It is the skip in one beat which makes the subsequent couple feel stronger, harder, faster; like my heart is trying to compensate for the blood which it failed to export. That thud-smash, that whoosh-crash, that bang-bong, which comes after the ping- which never saw its pong. It is the expanding of the chest. This is not pride. In situations like this, my body needs more space for breathing because who knows, whoever can tell, the amount of energy the next phase of my life would require.

Instruct

Teach them to respect

That kind and kin shall supersede
That heritage must be upheld
That calm wards off all trouble
And restlessness bids it return

Teach them in love

That the belly of a mountain bleeds with motion
When sweet words like sun warmth caresses the senses.
That a fall and a wound may scratch and may itch
But deep down within, the ocean remains still.

Teach them to know themselves

Let them sound their roar to the heavens
Get them used to the bounce of their every step
Let the pride gallivant and proudly parade
Blessed with deep knowledge of their heritage

Teach them in spirit

To communicate where sound is gone
When feeling is numb and thinking is no more
That there is a sane place where nothing is profane
That life prepares our entrance there someday

Teach them to be sound

 

Photo Credit @kajathiemephotography

‘There are men put on this earth to make laws designed to break the spirits of men. There are those put here to have their spirits broken by those put here to break them. Then there are those who are here to break the laws that break the men who break the spirits of other men. I am one of those men.’ – Steve Toltz

Royalty

Though I am a child
I shall conquer these grounds
I shall climb above
I shall command this landscape

Though I am a child
I bring with me an army
Together we would lead
These grounds on which you hike

Though I am a child
Under this sun’s shine
My leadership is resolute
Like this rock and its root

Though I am a child
I am your tomorrow
And when tomorrow is now
You too shall be my child