Song of a Continent

   by Larry Turner

A woman arrives in Virginia 
from Africa in chains. 
In this cruel new land 
she sings.

A woman arrives in New England
more dead than alive. 
Was it blessing or curse 
she didn’t miscarry aboard ship? 
She gives birth to her daughter 
and sings. 

Emerging from wigwam, teepee, hogan, pueblo, igloo, 
a woman faces the rising sun 
and sings. 

In tobacco field, by lake shore, 
under redwood canopy, on canyon rim, 
a woman sings. 

From Poland, Russia, Italy, China, Vietnam, Mexico 
a woman arrives.
She sings in her own voice.
That is her magic. 
When all learn to sing together, 
that is her strength.