“the leather strap the broom the switch habits before freedom freedom: the lie which is true before: kept fed but close to death the penitentiary the gun the rope is at hand now that you free free: kept down with your eyes down now: night riders patrol in cars those born again die free a lie for grateful slaves grateful: who are better off lie: who is better off dig down into the unmarked earth lay there and be free” PoetryPoemSlaveryPoetry QuotesSlavery In America Book:The Gone Dead Source: The Gone Dead