Cobalt From The Congo

their skin tight browned bodies scurry below
dust swirling in a bubbling dry hurricane
the shiny coins won trump the panting
when the moon’s shadow halts the digging

princes dethroned departed with British notes
kings rocked the cradle a garden’s birthplace
a continent of treasures plundered now breaking
stones and sticks rule over children’s groans

of the diamonds lost hold the wealthy to count
shut out the glare the faulted man stammers
the child’s blood on the mineral crops grown
all blinded just to run at thirty emoji’s a mile

Robert Filos is an author of poetry and short stories that combine beauty and wit while highlighting social justice issues. Published worldwide his poetry received over 40,000 views in 2017. Born and raised in The Bronx, he now resides in the South Carolina Low-country with his wife and children. He can be reached at rfilos63@gmail.com. Read other articles by Robert.