Nat Turner's Legacy
by Michael Doyle

Exceptions seldom make the rule
Foolish thinkers need their school
Those who dwell on the mystery
Of why so few rose against slavery

It is a cowardice of culture
That we cannot afford to nurture
Let's recall a moment of history
Lived by a man driven by theology

Revelations spoke their prophecy
Visions of freedom and liberty
Despair and loneliness drove action
Until Nat Turner would know satisfaction

It's not one of the easy lessons of history
But one written in blood and brutality
Right as right, a fight becomes relevant
As rage rose in voice and experiment

Nat Turner would seek to remold destiny
Though he's barely whispered of in history
In this barbecue, at a place called Cross Keys
Nat Turner's resolution led him to his knees

Turning up toward God's vision, he took resolution
Determining then and there in favor of revolution
Having lived his theology and sure of dignity
He knew then the path forward was incendiary

He would burn this scourge from the souls of all
As his Lord God, he would have sinners recall
Those who dared to keep other men slaves in fields
Would have their cursed wickedness revealed

But death begets more death, whatever the inspiration
Nat Turner was hunted down, and slavery haunted the nation
For thirty more years, until forced into a savage Civil War
That almost divided the nation as asunder it was tore

Our republic has been a mix of optimism and pessimism
It is a nation full of promise but open to much criticism
While some have known poverty, there is opulent luxury
It is a hard road to walk the road of American history

Victory has bred one too many ironic, disappointed sighs
Still, this is the greatest republic under earthly skies
Only education in God and science will better this country
Until at last equal opportunity will deliver true liberty

(c) August 24, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved