Page 31

Grabbing the great beard in one hand
the long lash in the other. Kicking
and clawing like she was crazy
until Master Jennings screaming Caroline!
Damn you Caroline! pries her off.
I pounced the other, kicking him hard
in just that place to make him crumple up.
Cussing on his knees he pulled his gun.
Use your gun I yelled at him, Use it
and blow my brains out ifyou will!
2.
That night Ma touched my face.
She said Cornelia is the spit of her ma
and pushed a bundle in my hands.
You can't stay here no more.
Girl they will whip you dead.
She told me run wherever you can run.
Listen for the paddyrollers' dogs.
Look and pray for a Union camp.
If you're caught fight she said.
If you carnt fight
kick. And if you can't kick bite.
We cried against each other a while
then she pushed me out into the night.
3.
Fifth or sixth night running in the dark
a whole hillside rose up all aglow with lights!
Back of that the next slope just the same,
and even the furthest gold with fires.
31