The Legacy of Empire

Centuries ago, they came with their ships,

With promises of trade, but not without tricks.

Colonialism and imperialism took root,

As they claimed lands and made them mute.

The empire expanded, with guns and might,

Leaving in its wake destruction and blight.

Lives were lost, cultures destroyed,

And the people were left feeling overjoyed.

The legacy of empire still lingers,

As the world continues to feel the sting of its fingers.

The social, political, and economic landscape,

Has been shaped by the empires' strong hand and heavy weight.

The people of the colonized land,

Were left to pick up the pieces and try to stand.

Their resources were plundered, their culture erased,

As the empire's greed continued to be embraced.

The effects of colonialism and imperialism,

Can still be felt in many parts of the world, a prism,

Through which we see the ongoing struggle,

Of the people who were left to juggle.

The legacy of empire is a scar,

A reminder of how far,

The world has yet to go,

To make right the wrongs of long ago.

Let us remember the impact of colonialism and imperialism,

And work towards a world that's built on a better prism.

One where justice and equality reign,

And the wounds of the past are finally made plain.