Oceans of Love -- The Journey

The Journey

By Dee Freeman

Pained humiliation beset as we were

Snatched from loved ones

Torn from our homeland

Forced onto our first journey

Becoming sometimes our last journey--the dreaded passage

Coffled. Shackled. Deemed cargo.

Forced to accept horrid,

Dehumanizing conditions--

Worth measured only by exchange of copper.

The journey saw us tightly packed.

That horrible hole--¦incited, uncontrollable rage.

Fury and hatred seeped up from the pits of our hearts.

Salty tears welled in an abominable abyss, then

Rained down from our eyes, to drip and sting our

Bruised, splintered, and withered skin.

This journey towed us over a raging ocean

Ships tossed and tore our bodies.

Violent waters tormented our viciously violated souls.

Despair, depression, disease, death -

Our constant companions across these cursed waters,

That swallowed us by the millions.

Tarnished waters now hold our ancestors' souls,

Who join hands with those who died before.

Muffled cries from the ocean floor

Call to us. Speaking, voicing their anguish,

yet sharing their eternal love, strength,

Passion and determination. They tell us

With the aide of Divine Providence,

We will survive.

They whisper words of encouragement.

Their past cleared the way for our future.

Their sacrifice of yesterday paid forward

Our advancement of today.

Their dying enabled our rebirth.

We continue this journey. No longer

Over the oceans, but over the highways of this world;

Over the byways of the minds of people.

We continue the journey of resolve to reclaim our dignity,

Regain our rightful place in a world of continuous movement.

We continue the journey until our ancestors feel

Proud of our accomplishment and our resolution.

We continue, never to turn back.

We'll emerge from the hole,

Undaunted, stronger;

With celebration in our hearts;

Able to sustain any further journey life offers.

* * * * *

Source: Oceans of Love: To Us From Us by Dee Freeman / call 1-517 321-3122

Delores King-Freeman, (Dee to family), is a motivated and compelling poet, author, producer and host, who is using her love, skills and creativity to help readers enjoy words and rhythmic rhyme. She left the south during the sixties to follow her dream, which proved extremely elusive. Now, finally catching and living that dream, she happily immerses herself in her passion-writing. Freeman has previously published well received books of poetry entitled
Oceans of Love: To Us From Us and Poetry She Wrote I: Oh, Magnify Him.

Both have been placed in the school system and libraries around town. She has had a number of poems appear in magazines, anthologies and new papers where some have been recognized with awards for their inspirational, even motivational message.

She was presented with a commendation for the City and City Council during Black History Month in 2005. She continues to provide the Lansing State Journal with an article, book review or word of inspiration on a monthly basis. She co-hosts “poetry slams” held at various locations throughout the Greater Lansing area.

Freeman looks forward to expanding her Poetree-N-Motion TV program which shares information of community events, history tidbits, book reviews and has guests with current community issues. It airs in Lansing on Comcast channel 16 -Thursday @ 3:30PM and East Lansing channel 30 WELM on Tuesday @ 7:00PM. She is also a talented musical lyricist, hoping to have her work recorded in the near future.

Presently, Freeman is in the completion stage of her first fiction novel-a project in conjunction with a movie producer. This novel—Wild, Untamed Michigan: The Way It Was—is scheduled to hit the stores in early or mid 2006, with the second of the “Poetry, She Wrote” series—following close behind.

Freeman thoroughly enjoys writing and sharing her poetry through presentations at special annual luncheons, tributes honoring the leadership of community and churches, and other venues throughout the region. She honestly feels her words will benefit all who read them-gently touching, softly soothing, delightfully awakening, enthusiastically illuminating and fervently healing.

As a grandparent of three grandsons, Freeman sees the need for help within the community. She volunteers for readings and events throughout the Lansing School District. She works on projects with the Michigan Million Women Movement that sprang out of the MWM (Million Women March) of 1997. She’s a member of several supporting organizations, such as Delores Thornton’s Marguerite Press, Disilgold Soul and Publishing and Sisterhood of The Written Word. She also sings with a 35 voice group, who continues to keep the Negro Spirituals alive-The Earl Nelson Singers-directed by Verna Holley.

An alumnus of Northwood University of Midland and former Financial Analyst for General Motors, Freeman continues to reside in Lansing, Michigan with her husband, Attorney Myron S. Freeman Sr. She is proud of her three adult children, one of whom has attained stardom as an actress on Broadway.

Dee Freeman, Poet, Author, Speaker and Host! / 517 321-3122 / deekfreeman@yahoo.com de_poette@hotmail.com / www.AuthorHouse.com

Oceans of Love: To Us From Us / Poetry She Wrote I: Oh, Magnify Him/ Host of Poetree - N - Motion / Poetry, She Wrote II / To Heir is to Love (for children) / Wild Untamed Michigan