Slave Shackles JvL- from Netherlands [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)%5D Wikipedia Commons
I see the spiked collar and the shackles. These may have been meant for a child, the exhibit label states. They would fit my wrist, I think. Ghosts hover; my heart aches.
mothers’ cries echo
soar across Atlantic sea—
gale winds thrash the sails
This is a quadrille for dVerse. De asked us to use the word spike. A quadrille is a poem of 44 words. Mine is in the form of a haibun, though perhaps not totally traditional.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
I fully understand your haiku, but I see “mother’s cries” as yours.
*And on another note, yes, notification back where it should be
Thanks, Ken. I was thinking of all the mothers losing their children, but of course, I also thought of me.
I’m glad the notifications are back. 🙂
This is bleak and powerful.
Thank you, Sarah.
This gives me the shivers. Yet we’re no better nowadays.
No, we’re not. There are still slaves and slavery and inhumane treatment. . .
(But thank you about the shivers.) 🙂
The people who fought to abolish injustices like slavery were heroes, so against the ideas of the time. Still would be in some cases.
Yes, you are right. They were, and they are.
🙂
Beautiful. Tragic.
Thank you very much!
Fit for a child… makes it even worse… we know it all, but those shackles make it real
Thank you, Björn. Yes, you’re right. We know something, but to actually see it, is something else. I think that’s why it’s often effective to hear one person’s story of injustice, too. Sometimes the large picture is just too overwhelming.
Very moving piece, Merril.
Thank you very much, Jill.
History catches up with us … haunting. Mocking our apathy too, in a way ….
Thank you, Marian. Yes. . .
Very simple evocation of great tragedy works well here.
Thank you very much, Luanne!
Chilling. (K)
Thank you.
Very distressing indeed but its the grim reality of the past, and even in some places today. Well done Merrril.
Thank you, Grace. Yes, you are right about the reality and the distress.
I can’t even imagine these horrid devices being used on anyone, especially children. Shiveringly well done, Merril
Thank you so much, Dale. I agree–the thought that these are used on anyone, especially children is just horrible.
I shudder at the thought.
To express power and horror in so few words is quite the accomplishment.
Thank you very much, Frank!
How powerfully sombre
Thank you, Derrick.
sombre is the right word – shocking and shivery
Thank you, Susan. It is.
They are some scary shackles! For a moment I wondered if they were for holding the Zwarte Piet when I saw the Netherlands connection! Very moving Piece Merril.
Thank you very much, Damien.
I guess the Netherlands connection is simply that all of the European nations were involved in the slave trade.
Chilling!
This says it all: “Ghosts hover; my heart aches.”
Thank you, De!
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How horrific. “Ghosts hover” indeed.
Yes. . .thank you.
Welcome!
Oh gosh this is poignant!
Thank you very much!
This is beautifully expressed and so very heartbreaking.
Thank you so much, Holly.
So welcome!
Your poem helps the ghosts hover.
Thank you very much, Frank.
Mother Nature’s gale winds protest what humanity does to humanity. Not humane, and darker and deeper than the fathomless ocean. 😦 You expressed it beautifully in so few words, Merril.
Thank you very much, Pam!
Wow.. pow .. her … ful.
You have the gift of telling a long story, in a few words.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment!