Before he learned this piece
he had not understood
that he was entrapped.
All of his young years
he assumed himself free.
Mental shock.
Branching initiation.
The song Miss taught him
was talking about the slavery of his homeland.
His parents had not said anything.
They had never told him about the occupation.
Only Miss had told him the truth
because she knew it was what’s proper
and that his heart could endure it
with the green flute.
Now he even felt
how important
these six holes were
which had also lived through
the bloody Sundays as well.
Miss was teaching him
the history of music
and the music of the history.
That’s how he was taught about this humane amalgam.