名人诗歌|American Sonnet (10)

after Lowell

our mothers wrung^{1 hell and hardtack from row}

and boll. fenced others'

gardens with bones of lovers. embarking²

from Africa in chains

reluctant pilgrims stolen by Jehovah's light

planted here the bitter

seed of blight^{3 and here eternal torches mark}

the shame of Moloch's mansions⁴

built in slavery's name. our hungered eyes

do see/refuse the dark

illuminate^{5 the blood-soaked steps of each}

historic gain. a yearning

yearning to avenge the raping of the womb

from which we spring