Slave

The eyes stare out from the abused body

Immortalized on a page.

Those eyes simply don’t belong in that body.

Even ink, I see they’ve seen

All the treasures and horrors the world has to offer.

Once beneath a sunrise those eyes loved –

Once, at a friend’s killing, they flashed fierce hate.

Those eyes picked violets and birthed calves,

Or a daughter –

Many myriad miles passed,

Some savored, many ignored, the rest endured.

A lifetime of living memories,

Concentrated in your immensely human eyes,

Stares out at me from the body of

A slave.