Hope at Last

Born into this life, I knew not of any strife. My mother just held me, Never wanting to leave me. I knew not why, I just always heard her cry. Then the day came, And it was my turn to live in pain. I left for the fields, Working until they gave me yield. I was beaten and whipped, Starved and cruelly tricked. I dreamed of flying away, But knew the only choice was to stay. As I almost gave up hope, I soon found a way to cope. People stood for a change, And fought a war that came to name. The Civil War it became, And nothing was ever more the same.