Give Us Chains We Can Believe In Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

What has occurred at that vacant plantation?
It looks as if there had been a stampede.
Rusted gates have been broken off their hinges.
And hundreds of people inside the main house,
Have barricaded themselves against the doors...
And wont leave.

'I am not mystified by this at all.
Listen to what the people inside are screaming.'

~Give us chains we can believe in.
Chains we can believe in.
We demand chains we can believe in.~

But...
There has been change!
Maybe not as fast as many would like.
But there has been change and is witnessed.
And observed.

'You don't understand.
Listen carefully to what they are demanding.
And...
They represent hundreds more,
Strill feeding into stereotypes.'

~Give us chains we can believe in.
Chains we can believe in.
We demand chains we can believe in.~

And who is that guy munching on that fat cigar,
Carrying that megaphone and pacing back and forth?

'Here it gets real confusing.
You see...
He owns the property.
And he wants everybody out.
So he can renovate the plantation,
With a golf course and condos.
He's been trying now for decades...
So he says.
To convince the people inside they are free.'

For decades?
He exaggerates.

'He may not be.
I've been witnessing this for 'hours'.
And I am not in disbelief.'