**or 10/18/1775**

You weren’t born a slave

You were sold into it.

Your owners gave you a voice 

In form of a pen and paper

Then paraded you 

like a circus animal 

To prove a point.

Look, a negro is intellectual

Look, a negro can think

Look, a negro can write beautiful words

They said. 

Through it all, 

You remained

A beautiful Soul.