Supposedly “My name is Bélizaire While my body has passed away My image stays in circulation On canvas I’m fifteen years old Person covered Then uncovered In paint.” At six years old Bélizaire was purchased In New Orleans by Frederick Frey whose Three children are in the paintings foreground This oil scene was captured in eighteen thirty seven The object was donated then sold for Seven thousand and two hundred American dollars then sold again For an undisclosed amount Erasure in tact The overpaint’s shadow haunted Jeremy K. Simien He had a conversation with his Creole ancestors Simien treated the paper Revealing clothes then a face “Restoration revealed me In the background Leaning against a tree.” The MET acquired “Bélizaire and the Frey Children” For an undisclosed amount A security guard is stationed at Gallery seven hundred and fifty six Of the American Wing Protecting an object on display Bélizaire is bronze wearing a White blouse and beige overcoat Like the worker the boy’s Eyes are not present He is deep in his own mind A lone Black family moves among tourist The son looks at up at the painting The family ask the worker If he could please take their picture In front of Bélizaire “I was born in eighteen twenty two. My mother's name was Sallie. I was the Frey children’s domestic.” A body with a name A slave by paper trial Fully portrayed In a southern Landscape Through the olive, moss, and pine there’s a body of refugees Submerged, we dream, yell, and sing This land is ruled by people with white hearts Will strangers have the privilege to sell your “Legacy”
Discussion about this post
No posts