Manifest Destiny Poem by Michael Burch

Manifest Destiny
by Michael R. Burch

When you were in my house
you were not free—
in chains bound.

Manifest Destiny?

I was wrong;
my plantation burned to the ground.
I was wrong.
This is my song,
this is my plea:
I was wrong.

When you are in my house,
now, I am not free.
I feel the song
hurling itself back at me.

We were wrong.
This is my history.
I feel my tongue
stilting accordingly.

We were wrong;
brother, forgive me.

Published by Black Medina