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Stories and Poems - A
Lantern in the Window -
(Winter 1999)
I could hear their guns echoing in the distance. I knew I didn't
have much time. I thought my heart would just burst out of my
chest it was beating so strongly. I didn't see anything around me,
just what lay ahead. I felt the mud in between my toes, felt the
stones cutting into my feet, the branches scratching at my face,
the sweat pouring into my eyes, blinding me, but that didn't
matter to me now. Nothing mattered but being free. I looked
desperately around for any signs of the "railroad," but saw none.
As I ran through the lake I kept reminding myself that this is all
worth having freedom, kept trying to think how much happier I will
be, and how much happier my children, and my children's children
will be if they are free. No one should have to be a slave.
Harriet gave us the courage to see that.
I know I found myself looking for that courage. Trying to find a
reason to go on, not to give up. I knew I would uncover the
passage if I went back. I couldn't do that. I just couldn't take
away peoples hopes of being free just because I couldn't take it.
All of a sudden I could not breathe, could not run. I just felt
myself dropping. I knew this was the end. I was not destined to be
free. They would just burn my bones for some masters fire. I could
hear the dogs barking and the men screaming. I could practically
smell the gunpowder. I sunk deeper into darkness, deeper, deeper,
deeper. I took one last breath and looked up. That's when I saw
it. It reminded me why I was here. Told me not to give up. Told me
I could be free. I felt the power shoot through my legs and I
began to run.
That was 40 years ago. Now when I see my grandchildren's eyes look
into mine, I think about what gave me the courage. I keep one in
my window to show that anything can happen. I owe my freedom to
that LANTERN IN THE WINDOW.
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