Cotton
Vicksburg, Mississippi - Late February 1833
Written For the Real Poetic 'Secret Writers' Challenge. Word limit (400) Additional details below.
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They called me Cotton. Funny, cuz I worked in the cotton fields. Masta’s bride named me that when I was a child for eatin the pesky boll weevils that was destroyin the crops. Don't rememba much about it. Maybe I was curious, maybe it was hunger. Those bugs plagued the fields faster than we feasted on chicken feets every Sunday...
***
Just like any child brought up into forced labor, you quickly learn yo place. You wake up ready to do the job you hate. How can you dream of a betta life when you can’t properly express yoself?
The white man needed to keep us dumb, so we didn't go questionin our own worth. We were born in slavery; we died in slavery. My bloodline survived three generations of oppressed livin.
***
Not all Mastas was the same. Yes, they whip you into submission, tear you away from kin folk and spit in yo face like Masta John did, but he was worse. Angrier than a badger with no teeth. We all stayed out his way. Even his own offspring got beaten. They blamed it on the moonshine he drank from sunup to sundown. I blamed it on the devil's work.
His youngest daughter, Lucille took a likin to me cuz I wud climb the apple trees to pick the best ones for her. She often talked about going to school; a place where she learned how to read and write.
She brought a book one day and read it to me. It was a story about life. I never knew about the places my mind could go by listenin to words. After that day, I begged her—'teach me!'
The secret lessons went on fo weeks, mostly after Sunday school when slaves was allowed to relax and be with family.
I soon realized why they kept us dumb and uninformed. It brought on tidal waves of anger. Anger that came out on Masta John one afternoon. I killed him. Choked him out when he found me and Lucille sitting side by side in the barn, pencils in hand. I had to! He was fixin to beat her!
No one was sad about Masta Johns’ passin. The lynch mobs came lookin fo me anyways.
Scared fo my life, Lucille told me about the free north—God's asylum. I ran until the days went cold. I ran... until I was free to be me.
About the Creator
Lamar Wiggins
Creative writer in the Northeast US who loves the paranormal, mystery, true crime, horror, humor, fantasy and poetry. Take a chance, you'll be thoroughly entertained.
"Life is Love Experienced" -LW
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Comments (26)
That killing came as a suprise - as did the escape. I loved the outcome.
Whoa, that was POWERFUL! Went right through me... Awesome writing, Lamar. Awesome!
400 words??? in credible, an entire story that was clear and compelling from the opening to the final line. Lamar, you are so talented.
WOW! Awesome storytelling! This is a masterpiece!
Awesome story and take on this challenge!
Powerful story beautifully told, and so worthy of being read! Congratulations on the well deserved recognition.
This is so good! From the language to the twist at the end, just so wonderfully written.
Congrats on taking the top spot in this challenge! Well-deserved recognition!
This is so powerfully and masterfully written.
What a story! Nice one, Cotton! This was a great tale. So much packed into a microfiction. Sadness, resilience, hope. Excellent, Lamar!
Wow! This was very believable, every great story back then had to end with the running...freedom bells must ring. Love it.
This is excellent. The voice is so believe, and who doesn't love a happy ending. Well done.
I need tissues now. This was excellent writing. So sad that there was so much truth in it. Thank God for books, the ability to read and write, and people like Cotton & Lucille who understand what life should be and how people should be treated!
Captivating story & Cotton was free!!! Fabulous ending!!!♥️♥️💕
Great story Lamar. So glad that Cotton managed to escape and can only wonder what was the book that inspired him to do so.
This is written with such impeccable insight; it is still haunting and bloody disgusting what the Black culture endured then and still faces now. Excellent!
Powerful story, Cotton & Lucille every bound together in spirit. May she never lose that gentle kindness & willingness to risk for the sake of others.
Whoaaaa, I did not expext Cotton to choke Master John! I was so shocked! Loved your story!
Angrier than a badger with no teeth - loved this line!
WOW! This is a true piece of art, Lamar!
Speechless. This is spot on! The plot is so interesting, heartbreaking, and realistic! Obsessed! 🤩
Lamar this is so, so well written. i felt such anger and extreme sadness when I read about the 'mastas' treatment of slaves. I loved the overall message though of he power of words 🤍
Loved the story! Have you read North Woods by Daniel Mason? It’s a collection of (almost) short stories all based in the same cabin (over a period of time, the stories start in the 1600’s and end in 2023) and one of the short stories is similar to the one you wrote! It’s a REALLY good book! You should check it out! Also, amazing story!
Masterful. Well done my friend
Great job, Lamar!