The Miracle of Tenesee

Black man! Oh black man

I heard the whispered word

And I looked around

To find from whence

Came the words I heard

No face or figure anywhere

Only the dark of night

I stumbled and fell

As I hurried on

Overcome by a sudden fright

It came again "Oh black man"

And there was anguish in

the sound,

In fear I groped around to lift myself

From the mud and wet of

the ground

And as I did

My hand reached out

And touched an object there

I cleaned it off

with grimed hands

Then knelt on my knees in prayer

For the thing that I held

In my grimed hand

Was a crucifix

Worn and old

And as I stared two tears

rolled down

His face-that was anguished drawn and cold

And his lips did move

And the words came to me

Black man oh black man

You are free

You are free!

And now I walked with my head held high

Home to my babes and wife

©Martha Freeman 1970