Freedom Alas! Poem by Lillian B. Rose

To Fredrick Douglass a new name was formed
as a sign of freedom from the captivity
he seldom forgets to quake when
oppressor draws near in fits of rage
for the praise abolitionist raise
To own a man isn't right
to beat a man for his own delight
and to antebellum south, dissent did fly
'til freedom alas should be his lot
away from the tyrant's whip
and the power of master's wife
to weeping over servant's plight
To all hatred - death shall rise
when humanity in all glory known
finds a way to journey home
and discovers in a heart of gold
tolerance beyond all discrimination
is found in the young love's face
a blessing and exalted place
far from the tyrant's hand
Safety alas in church of white
to find forgiveness in love of Christ
who cries over the broken from above
to rain down on hatred's head
Tolerance for the slave's own plight
that saved man in his own right
to live freed from darkness wrought
in time of discrimination bound
Where blind men rule the black man's course
and freedom so rarely found
constantly in thoughts of oppressed
until peaceful rest, fearlessly strong - at last
is found in a place where hope abounds
And wounds unseen are finally
bound up with careful love
that silences the wrath of the intolerant
in one simple inclusion where hatred dies