Today, Paul Brookes is posting poetry on the theme of the abolition of slavery. This is one I sent. A reminder that it’s never over till it’s over.

Wind and waves

We say the waves are calm now,
their voices stilled, the echoing voices
from wooden holds,

but restless still,
waves take their toll of human flesh,
slavers have a multitude of faces.

Listen to the wind that blows
into ears deaf to the cries
of other people’s children,

the wind that stirs the veils,
the shadows in the corner,
and brings the sound of chinking coins,

the chinking coins still changing hands,
and the child behind the veil sold,
flesh, hers too.

The waves’ lament lingers
and the wind’s, the unheard voices,
still crying.