Ms. Ruby remembers
that day in July when
those cars came rambling past
caught up in her cotton
didn’t second guess then
why they were driving so fast?
nothing more than the usual
to be thinking bout
feeding children and
holding on to faith in the face of doubt
round about the same time
Mr. Adams as a young boy
had the misfortune to be standing
where he could see what she’d heard
his own spirit too a victim
as it died a bit as he held onto
what he’d seen

Moore's Ford Mission Project Poem #1
and never said a word
unable to erase what took place
from his memory – the pain
from his face
thought to be just four lives
lost that 25th day
in 1946 at Moore’s Ford
but Mae was with child
8 months was the word
so five souls lay in unrest
Ms. Ruby and Mr. Adams
already have offered their best
they told the truth
to see that through to justice
has been endowed as our test
Ms. Ruby kept them alive in spirit
now we must give them peace to rest

Moore's Ford Mission Project Poem #1