KARMA

By Jamiel

Are you the judge, that settled the grudge
Twixt me and my back shot brother,
He who stole a kiss, and raped my miss
When I could love no other.
Did I see you smile at my trial,
And is this our payment day?

Are you that queen, that came between
Her son and his little dancer?
Who wanted her head, took her babe instead,
With slavery the final answer.
Do you dread, memories in your head
Revenge, your spirit’s cancer.

Are you the slave, with the mulatto babe
Who was rejected by her lover?
Did you pine and refuse to dine
When he loved and married another?
When you died, babe at your side.
The baby for want of her mother.

Were you perhaps, the Egyptian chap
Who sacrificed the acolyte
Were the tables turned when you were burned
In the following Aztec life?
Is it our destinies to be enemies
For motives ever so trite?

Must we ever yearn, will we never learn
To just deal with what is
Will our hurts be eased, or never be pleased
For as many lives as we live
Maybe it is all a dream, rowing life’s stream
Until we can say no to the quiz.

Do I know you? Do I owe you?
What have you to say?
It’s not so little, this jot and tittle
I am told that I must pay
Do you know me? Do you owe me?
Is this our payment day?