EQUAL PEOPLE: THE POETRY EDITION

Ode to the Essential

How the poorest carry the rest of us during a crisis

This poem is a part of “Equal People,” Our Human Family’s anthology of international poetry on equality and inclusivity.

Ships crossing waves Human cargo chained In the belly of a monster Landed 1619 on rocky shores Lives and identity taken Forsaken to the task To create rich men In their own blood

Now the task is running America Others locked down While the black and brown Make the world go round Dying not on ships Or plantations But in hospitals Bearing a diabolical Demon Named COVID-19

We must honor these heroes Risking loved ones daily As they return home afraid To touch their own progeny Essential yes Essential to children Essential to spouses Essential to parents In all the ways Essential yes But also so much more

About the Poet Estacious (Charles White) is a twenty-three-year educator. He began writing over twenty-five years ago. His work experience encompasses managing schools and teaching a variety of subjects. His passions are poetry, short fiction, playwrighting, and nonfiction. He won one of six prizes in the Rockford play festival for his play “Incarcerated Christmas.” He is married with three children and a native of New Orleans.