middle passages

so many gods to call on in the dark
and none to answer when we have most need
there is no witness to see what we mark

there was no silence when forced to embark
no word for what we were but others' need
so many gods to call on in the dark

who did not live was fed to ray and shark
and some grew fatter on the alien seed
there is no witness to see what we mark

we have to learn new names for shift and sark
and find the urgency in your hard greed
so many gods to call on in the dark

the truth is given us in the dogs' bark
the whip commands us when to hoe and weed
there is no witness to see what we mark

the answer's always plain simple and stark
there is a poison that impels the deed
so many gods to call on in the dark
there is no witness to see what we mark