THE MIDWIFE

Dedicated to Fannie Chester

By Will Naylor

Ride on Holy Midwife

Ride on,

Riding side-saddle upon her steed

Traversing the dusty country hillside paths.

Singing songs framed with visions of hope

As she prays life will come forth

Answering the call to assist

To yet another birth

Ride on Holy Midwife

Ride one,

The midnight sky draped with stars

Leads her to lantern lit shacks

She is illuminated with a passionate desire

To see children born free

Liberated from oppression

With broken chains at their feet

Ride on Holy Midwife

Ride on,

African sweat descends from her wrinkled brow

Like a sacred waterfall

Flowing toward an event bathed in pain

Expectation quickens her breath

Children come forth

Joyous melodies fill the air

That only earth angels can sing

Ride on Holy Midwife

Ride on

Pressing, Pushing, Praying, Rejoicing,

The resounding praises

Transcend space and time…

As my feet of Clay walked upon the ground

Where my ancestors lived and died…

I chance upon a resting place

Of gravestones dust and bones…

I saw not her name among the Memorials

Where memories are obscured,

By shadow and fog…

Yet her fragrant breath mingled

With the Mississippi air,

And filled my heart with life

As the winding country roads

That she traveled

Strengthen my limbs with purpose

I hear her songs,

Amidst the majestic pines

She is not among the dead

She lives in my heart

Her love flows in my veins,

I am blessed to be a part of her boundless dreams

Ride on Holy Midwife

Ride on…