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Other Ships


But there were other ships
rocked by dreams
and fears and promise

Rolling
with new arrivals
across Atlantic.

From the fields
of Bengal
and Uttar Pradesh,
From Kowloon
and Canton.
From Madeira
and Ireland -

Their indentured mud-
stained feet, soon embroidered
like the slave's instep to the fields.

Their song of exile
their drums of loss
all caught in a weaving odyssey
of no return.
No waiting Penelope
unpicking all her work.

Written by Grace Nichols

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