Found Poem

Talks with God

On a summer night, Harriet gazes at the sky and talks with God.

I set the North Star in the Heavens and I mean for you to be free.
My mind is made up. Tomorrow, I flee.

Lord, I'm going to hold steady on to you.
I'm going to see you through, child.

Lord, send me a sign.
The hour has come.

Lord, I can't make it alone.
Harriet, you dreamed that saints saved you, but mortals will give you refuge.

Don't let them catch me and take me back, don't let my journey end here.

I don't know who to trust, Lord.
Search my face in theirs, and for my hands in their work.
What have you in your hands?

I will arm you against your enemies, but you will not harm a soul, and no harm will come to you.

Should I leap, Lord?
Trust me to protect you, child.
Swing low, sweet chariot.

Lord, I miss my folks.
Harriet, your father taught you to read the stars, predict the weather, gather wild berries, and make cures from roots.
Use his lessons to be free, you will meet again.


Lord, I can't outrun them.
Shed your shoes and wade in the water to trick the dogs.

Thank you, Lord.

Lord, don't let nobody turn me 'round. I'd rather die than be a slave.
Harriet, keep going. You have already glimpsed the future.


Fly, Harriet. Your faith has wings.

Have you deserted me, Lord?
Harriet, when you were a girl, you hid in a pigpen to shun the whip. You fought hogs for table scraps, almost starved before you faced the lash. I am with you now as I was then.

Lord, make me strong. Help me fight.

How far, Lord?
As far as you can walk with me, my child, and I can carry you.

Not far now, child, not far now.

Is this heaven, Lord?
Not heaven, Harriet, free soil.

Lord, I am a stranger here; all my kin are down south.
I would make a home for them here. I would give my own life to free them.
Then go back for them, daughter. But first, go to my house to prepare for the journey.

I am ready, Lord. Lead me.
Harriet, I will make a way for you.

Harriet, be the Moses of your people.
But I am a lowly woman, Lord.

Harriet, I have blessed you with a strong body, a clever mind. You heal the sick and see the future. Use your gifts to break the chains.
I will do as you say, Lord. I will show others the way to freedom that you have shown me.

Save all you can, daughter.

It wasn't me. It was the Lord.
I always trust Him to lead me and He always does.

Well done, Moses, well done.

On a summer night, Harriet gazes at the sky and talks with God.