ancestors

i.
when the ancestors visit with their greyscale faces
look silently at their scathing scars
refrain from asking about their fading memories
and when they disremember royalty; forgive them.
for in the oration of their tongue lies a history.
silenced by one wilting lie
overshadowing seven bold truths.

ii.
softly it cries for those to come
lamenting the innocuous state
for even the soil avows against the shade.
when the ancestors find earth as their shroud
remember it will absorb their rustic shade
no solace in soils, no solace in the sun,
there are no comrades for them now.

iii.
the decade announces a new narrative.
of change, ownership, and less hegemony.
sending meritocracy to bring its gifts
own the houses that the ancestor never did
accept the gifts and tarry not in tenure.
greet the life that death dreamt to see.
and remit your respect back to history.

Buy Rivers of Broken Waters here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rivers-Broken-Water-Hannah-Williams/dp/B0CR4D1L3D

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