Here’s one of my poems, set in a South Car­olina fac­tory circa 1980, in my work col­lec­tion. Enjoy!!

Serf and Turf

I say this work’s a form of slavery

And Dar­ryl lets me know I’m at his edge

Four­teen years with this guy

I never seen him ruf­fled with me

His eyes ask if I’m fuckin’ crazy

As in he thought he knew me

So I tell him to hear me out

But now I’m white and he won’t have no part

In con­sid­er­ing he’s another Kunta Kinte

And I am, too, just lighter

And sure his foot is whole but his soul’s

Lopped off—he and me’s not goin’ nowhere

by Jodi Barnes