Written by Ashley Parks
Today I extend my respect and all honor
to Those Who Chose the Sea.
Those who would not part with the Motherland
Those determined to be free.
They refused to be taken into bondage
They knew their God-given right
To live among their own, untouched and unbothered
They would succumb to no greater might
Than the hand of God Himself
Or unto their own hands, which He gave
To them their own free will and choice
A gift they rightfully used to their full extent.
A sacrifice unimaginable
A sense of self-worth uninhibited
Unfettered by shackles of any sort
Determined to live, infinite
They chose life together beneath the waves
They stand together in solidarity.
Their strength something worthy to be praised
Their children, their spouses, ancestors to you and me
Black brother, black sister
Do you see what I see?
The gathering of titanium souls
Standing placidly in the sand
At the bottom of the ocean
To which they ran
A safe haven only they could see.
They gather, hands interlocking
And their song bubbles to the earth’s surface
As they sway with the rolling waves, the changing tides
And breathe in the sea life’s air
A cornucopia of black bodies
All bobbing beneath placid blue.
To think that someone They left behind
Is linked to me or to you.
What honor to come from resilience
What an honor to come from such strength
I join my voice with their liquid song
Choosing self, again and again.
I will be beholden to no man other than myself.
I am responsible for me, my life, my wealth
I would rather live beneath the water with my own
Than bow to some selfish white man’s throne.