Stamina

We ran.

Into the dead of night, senses dulled and our people culled by hands that claimed they were the better man.

We ran.

The hounds gave chase, to sink their teeth, so we sunk our toes into the dirt although it hurt. Fistful of courage, we'll grab the future with our hands, forward march to the promised land.

We ran.

For the idea that on the other side of the mountain resided a freedom banner, that promised simple banter, with a hint of glamour to match our humble candor.

Believe you me when I tell you, we ran.

Whistling and shouting, tripping, falling. Go man, go. Don't stop, that's Massuh calling. Chains rattling, stars falling. Freedom calling, I can hear freedom calling.

We ran.

To ring freedom's bell while facing hell on earth. Step aside monster stories, true fear is the sound the whip makes when it cracks. The sound the dog makes before it attacks. The sound of forced laughs when wisecracks are made at our expense but we laugh because the comeback could very well be our limbs over wood followed by a sharp axe.

So we ran.

Hardly breathing, feet bleeding, ears ringing, eyes stinging. Quick jumping and swift thinking, keep dreaming, brother keep dreaming.

We ran.

Eyes dead ahead, though death made its bed ahead, behind, and on all sides. And you can bet that death has made its bet and has bet that despite our plight we're as good as dead. Yet, our eyes remained fixed on the life glistening beyond the death ahead. Death toll rising, don't stop running now, freedom is dead ahead. Freedom too, has made its bed and entices us to keep moving forward. Don't stop running and tomorrow will open its doors up.

So, we ran.