Some say Ti Sainte was born long ago,
Before the time of worry and woe
When humans were free from rulers and kings
And cared not for riches, or owning of things
Before there was money, soldiers and slaves
'Fore people paid debts by digging their graves
When all of God’s Children danced by the fires
And worshipped the Heavens through natural spires
When joy followed sadness as dawn does the night 
And life a parade of boundless delight
When Freedom was a given and natural right.

The crackling flames forced her into the water
The icy cold river caused her to falter
Feet planted in mud she focused her mind
Then felt a strong Spirit join her in kind
Sensations unknown then shook her whole soul
Life began a retreat, the pain took its toll
This moment she could see as if looking down
At herself in the water starting to drown
But calm held her heart, she was the Life Giver
Her whole body strained with one mighty shiver
From her the baby burst into the river.

As she lifted him out of the water
Thinking no more of the men who now sought her
She stared at the baby, with wondering eyes
Laughing with joy at his sudden loud cries
Then sounds like gunshots exploded the night
She drew the child close eyes wide with fright
The three pirates also froze at the sounds
Another and another, like a volley of rounds
Thinking they were now under attack
The men looked around and then stumbled back
When they saw some Indians rush up in a pack.

The Indian men had come on the run
They knew the sounds were not from a gun
But that of the river cane when it's on fire
The scene they encountered like a funeral pyre
Pascagoula braves, to Long were unknown
The pirate chose discretion than valor alone.
“See you again!” Long yelled and then fled. 
“I’ll catch you some day, or you'll be dead!”
Astonished as the Indians there then became
Imagine their wonder when out from the canes
A wild woman burst right through the flames!

Lanmè awoke as if from a dream
To find herself warmed by an early sunbeam
Around her were women smiling, impressed
Her baby suckling calmly at her breast
The ceiling above was woven thatch hut
Woozy she rose and weakly asked, “What?”
Were they doing? Where was she now?"
One pressed damp cloth soft to her brow
Gave her herb tea in a woven cup,
Holding her gently so she wouldn’t get up
She fell back exhausted, nursing her pup.

She thought of her husband, Antoine Sauvole,
And wished he was here, body and soul
To see his new son, breathing in life
To hold him, and her, his devoted wife
She felt so abandoned, a hopeless emotion
Knowing this life across the wide ocean
Was meant to be lived one moment to next
And how to survive not yet rendered in text
She knew that to live was to improvise
Trust in tradition but embrace surprise
Know to be smart but try to be wise.

And so as she watched the Indian maids
Patiently tying her hair into braids
Humming soft lullabies ancient as stone
Letting her know she wasn't alone
That there was a wordless deep sisterhood 
That every woman in kind understood
She would be safe as would her son
Until the joyful reunion
For now she simply hoped for the best
That Antoine her love was safely blessed
And what she needed most was some rest.

Meanwhile, fifty or so leagues away
Sauvole and Bienville were enjoying the day
The mouth of the Big River at last they had found
Heading further up, they sought to sound
Channels and sand bars hoping to show
A route upriver against its great flow,
To claim for King this native-ruled land
To open up commerce just as they planned
To celebrate their achievement so they saw
Declaring by right and by regal law
They named the place Point du Mardi Gras.

After a time, she woke with a start
She must bless her child to know Jesus’  heart
The life of him, she thought, must have reason
Since his first birthday started Lent season
A Mardi Gras birth brought great renown
This day was to remember the ground
To which we’d return when we died
In Haitian Creole, “Sann Mekredi!”* she cried
         *Ash Wednesday
She reached to the fire burning nearby
Taking up ashes "Ti sen mwen an,"* she sighed
        *My little saint
And rubbed a small cross above his wide eyes.

For days, they nursed, mother and child
Soon she felt strong and ventured outside
This strange world she saw that long ago day
Was old as humans made from clay
Women were busy with children and plants
Men fixed arrows in long leather pants
Houses of plaster grew solid around
A center, where all gathered on common ground.
They sang their hearts into the sky
And danced with children 'til bye and bye
Joy was eternal with no reason why.

Her darker-skinned mother, taught her a tongue
A soft secret language so common among
Servants and workers who filled all the spaces
And did all the work with solemn dark faces
“Lanmè, Fi MWEN,”* her mother held tight
     *You’re MINE
As they laid in bed every night
Sometimes the Man called for her mother
Solemnly, she would rise, tuck in the cover
But always later she would quietly return
Bathing herself from the bed table urn
Thus the safety of Lanmè she earned.

As Lanmè grew older, her world quickly changed
From one familiar to one so estranged.
Blanc children played their games without cease
While she was tasked with scrubbing out grease
Helping the women who prepared the foods
Serving the tables of planters and broods.
She worked in the kitchen from dawn until dusk
Seeing her playmates begin to be brusque
A discovery of differences began to relate
A terrible world she was told did await
Where the color of skin decided your fate.

The women of the kitchens shouted reveilees
And spoke of Africa over the seas
Of lost grandeur, of kings and queens
Of colorful pageants, gold, purples and greens
Speaking languages that each could not know
Forced to create one together to show
They shared the hardships of this land
Sugar cane, indigo, reaped with black hands
Yearly she grew in shadows of stoves
Pantries with shelves and ovens of loaves
She learned about spices, anise and cloves.

Yet she found love amidst all the strife
The blanc boy,  Antoine, she’d known all her life
With this friend, she’d played for years
Shared in the laughter, dried each’s tears
His father, they knew, traveled the seas
Engaged in commerce on islands like these
Antoine's mother had died of a fever
A noir woman raised him, afraid was he to leave her
But as he grew older he started to roam
Seeing the world outside as his home
And Lanmè as more than playmate alone.

Dreaming of these moments in consummate bliss
Of love, she knew: it was surely this
In this New World he and she
When married then together both would be free
The two then made a marvelous plan
They’d confess their love to the Man
He’d be joyous and embrace them both
And plan the day when they’d betroth
Parties they’d have, the dances they’d share
The coming marriage of such a grand pair
And she would be Madame Antoine Auclair!

But reality struck as it does evermore
After a night spent on the shore
Dreaming of her lover while washing the dishes
Asking her God to grant her the wishes
To marry this man, spend her whole life
Making them happy, escape from the strife
When suddenly into the kitchen he rushed
His manner was anger, his face was red-flushed.
He held her tightly, said  “Please forgive me.
My father has discovered our sweet reverie
And is thus sending me into a life on the sea!”

And within days, the curse became real
Her Antoine forbidden from even to steal
A few sacred moments to say his goodbye
Only a lonely girl just wondering why
She was prevented from being on shore
To wave him farewell, wanting much more
Yet through his love he found a way
To reach her heart, have a final say
A note delivered, stained with his tears
“Do not forget, no matter the years
“I’ll find you again, forget all your fears.”

She continued, “I must relate once in my vision
Another sight I cannot state with precision.
But what I saw most clearly of all:
A wonderfully rich society ball!
With you at the center, covered in pearls
Dancing around a boy in gold curls
Merriment, music and laughter all about
The masquerade crowd erupts a great shout
The boy spins a web of magic delight
The crowd caught within dances in light
And echoes of music ring through the night."

Lanmè, ecstatic ran home in the rain
Relieved that the vision erased some of the pain
For surely the boy was her beloved Antoine
And someday they would be two become one
Dancing in joyous freedom, life without care.
She wanted to see him, and joyfully share
But for now he was gone, she'd have to remain strong
And hope his return would not take so long
Until then she would be loving and true
Keep her heart pure, a deep sea of blue
His promise was real she certainly knew.

One solemn day, the sky before bed
Revealed a sunset which turned a deep red
Lanmè knew better than believe in portent
She seen enough sunsets result in lament
But the very next day from clear blue skies
Came a knock at the kitchen and Antoine's blue eyes!
Quiet cries of rejoicing were shushed for the moment
That joy was tremendous does not deserve comment
"Mon amour! Is this real? Am I still dreaming?
Am I in a swoon, only just seeming?
To hold you and look into your blue eyes gleaming?"

“I’ll tell you much more once we are free
But as for this moment you must follow me
I’ve crossed the wide ocean to come back to you
And tell you myself what we’re to do.
I have but a month to get you in hiding
In a safe place where we’ll do some biding.
I’ll get to your mother and tell her my plan
She’ll help us avoid being seen by the Man.”
Antoine kissed her, then, “Fly we must.
There’s no time to spare, gathering dust
The way is clear, in Love we must trust.”

Her mind was a muddle, her dreams had come true
And yet an ill-boding was all that she knew
Sometimes the world sweeps one along like a river
Floating upon it like a small wooden sliver
And then there are presented monumental decisions
That often bring on clarified visions
In this long moment was a dread she could feel
While reveling in the fact that it was all real.
She took a deep breath and leapt in his arms
She cared not for doubts or sacred old charms
She only knew here was where her heart warms.  

She gathered up quickly what little she owned
And bade a silent goodbye to her home
She left a small note scribbled in red
And tucked it into her mother's bed.
'Antoine is here and we can't be caught
I'll return soon, just as I ought.'
Antoine urged her then, "We must hide away
The home of a pirate is where we will stay. 
Port-de-Paix, for now, must be our home
Midst pirates and brigands we'll hide on our own
Laurent De Graff is our savior alone."

In this vast world of pirates and wars
Where men crossed oceans to settle their scores
Word traveled fast, carried by winds
Established reputations, reveled in sins
The sea battles won, or lost as may be
Were adorned with songs which cried victory
The pirate De Graff thrived in this world
Though Dutch of birth, his was a French flag unfurled
Throughout his career he'd fought for San Domingue
In this island's service he would long remain
And pass into its history, now a Haitian domain.

Though mysteries of our story are more than what's known
That De Graff helped Antoine will hereby be shown
He'd seen Antoine grow through his early years
Sailing with the boy's father as free buccaneers
He'd known of the young man's forbidden romance
When he spied the two lovers escaping a dance
Where the planters' children practiced their graces
Amidst all the polished and powdered white faces
He watched as Antoine moved next to a girl
Who stood in the shadows of the society swirl
And reached a brown hand to touch his gold curls.

De Graff was no stranger to the power of love
A romantic he fancied himself, quite above
The sword fights and cannons with which he found fame
He saw in love a much worthier game
And so when he learned of Antoine's exile
He vowed to Antoine to watch over her while
The boy became man upon the wild ocean
As love was the last truly mysterious emotion
He arranged a place for the lovers to hide
In Port-de-Paix where they could abide
And wait for the inevitable change of the tide.

In that wild town they bided their time
Hiding their love as if it were a crime
Antoine had gone to his father to say
That he had served well and would return on this day
To claim what was his, his bride and his life
He'd marry a slave girl and make her his wife
French laws allowed for the freedom of love
The wide world was changing by God up above
But the pettiness of men yet ruled greedy hearts
His father still wished to keep them apart,
To end their marriage before it could start.

One soft quiet morning as they lay abed
Antoine woke Lanmè caressing her head
"My love, said Antoine, "I must now come clean."
My promises to you are not what they seem."
Awakened, distressed, Lanmè was stricken
"What do you mean?" She felt her heart quicken.
"You must know my father has cursed our sweet union
He'll even cause the church to refuse our communion.
So I've taken measures, I've taken a new tack
Through unchartered waters, our resolve cannot lack.
I've now set our course and there's no going back."

She watched his face now, as he rose to the dawn
And saw the hard lines, salt and wind drawn
"My love," said she, "Where you go, so will I.
"I trust in your plans, look me in the eye!"
His focus upon her, she watched his eyes soften.
"Our love is a gift that doesn't come often.
I care not for mansions and church approbation
We don't need society's rank elevation.
What we have, one cannot buy or even borrow,
And only your absence pays me in sorrow.
Together is how we will find our tomorrow."

"In order to find a gallant new role
I changed my name to Antoine Sauvole.
We must not reveal the life we once knew
Lest both of us risk our fates to renew."
He drew then a document and put it to flame
From now on Lanmè can not be your name.
This parchment I took from your master’s desk
Found among papers well worth the risk
Now burns to ashes, now lost to the sea
Just as your name must now be 'Marie.'
They'll know you as a woman born to be free."

He laughed again at her sweet japes
And gathered sheets to make them capes
“I’ll be a captain of the sea
And call the dance when I’m with thee
We will entertain the swellest of swells
And cause the ringing of the bells
But I will promise if you please
You’ll live a life of rest and ease
I’ll build for you a great big home
With servants so you won’t be alone
While ‘cross the world I have to roam.”

This last line then made her sigh
She watched the color of the sky
The soughing of the wind and waves
Transported her to island caves
Where she and Antoine had been close
Strong deep emotions like the waves arose
She turned to him with tears up-welled
To her breast his hands she held
“I need a promise made by thee
You will one day leave the sea
Loving evermore to stay home with me.”

He held her close and gently said,
“I’ll always wish for our sweet bed.
Trust in me, I will never stray
We’ll have a home one fine day
That we can call our very own 
With children dancing on every stone
I need to find a new position
Something with a noble mission
But first we’ll build a sacred place
A room to stay, a secret space
And leave our lives without a trace.”

And so face-to-face, Antoine and his love
Discovered soft moments, a sweet treasure trove
Jewels of passionate memories made
Gold intimate feelings smoother than jade
Words of soft silver with rubies inlaid
Polished gold whispers that never would fade
Rolling out emeralds and diamonds of sound
'Til pearls of new wisdom spilled all around
The wealth of true love was on full display
As they reveled in riches by night and by day
Creating the Jewel to whose homage we pay.

Once Antoine went off to the sea
His father became sick and sent off a plea
To Lanmè's master that she be sold
Before Antoine returned, feeling more bold
Wanting to marry this brown-eyed slave girl
And darken the future of his family's world
The Man then boasted himself as the sire
And let it be known he'd search for a buyer
Intending to sell her away from his ken
To live in a world of anonymous men
Never to hear of her fate again. 

How could this be you wonder aloud?
That a father of a beauty couldn't be proud
But instead saw his duty to society's laws
And rushed to protect his absentee boss
Callously adhering to France's Code Noir
Which ruled on the products of the master's boudoir
A slave mother's child was born wearing chains
Allowing slave masters capital gains
Thus even the tropics could turn hearts to ice
Engaging such trade without thinking twice
The only conundrum was what's the best price.  

The Man's first ruse was to make known
That Antoine had perished, all alone
The news came down from a forged letter
That an English pirate had been the better
On Antoine's journey back to France
He'd lost a desperate bloody dance
His body flung out to the sea
The heir of a fortune not to be
And when her mother had been convinced
She was tasked with its deliverance
As Lanmè lived in blissful ignorance.

The Man then arranged for Lanmè to be sold
A treacherous heart never so cold
He'd threatened her mother with life in the field
While he'd force her young virgin daughter to yield
Her mother thus trapped by the master's designs
Knew that she'd be better resigned
To gamble her fate placed in God's hands
And hope for a freedom in some other lands
The Man had only to find Lanmè
Not so difficult, safe to say
For her location he had but to pay.

While Lanmè dreamed of Antoine's return
The Man's cold wheels continued to turn.
He waited until De Graff sailed out of the bay
And sent some rough men to take her away.
"I own you, you see, you haven’t a choice
My daughter, my slave, why can’t you rejoice?
But as I can see I am losing control
I’m forced to remind you of your proper roll
Today is your last on this island, your home
For your sin you must now atone
So go to your mother and return all alone."

Her mother dismayed, fell in a swoon
When she knew Lanmè would have to leave soon
"But now I'm with child, couldn't I stay?
Antoine will come back one lucky day!
We can then marry, finally free
You will come with us, happy we'll be!"
But more was the tragedy, her mother now saw
That Lanmè thought her fantasy world above law
She held her arms with hands strong from work
Shook her awake with a violent jerk
"You must not let shadows of dreams evilly lurk."

"My dearest loving girl of mine
You will know the truth in time
That Antoine has been lost at sea
And now you must be lost to me."
She showed the letter to Lanmè
Who screamed defiance, "How can you say?"
Her grief took away her last strength,
She wept for days but then at length
The time to be sold was ever pressing.
The life inside her, the only blessing.
Her mother taught a final lesson.

"The Master of our world has iron hands
Made to sign papers that rule all the lands
The flimsiest tissues, envy and wrath
Make up the signposts that guide our long path.
Our dreams are but kindling to their burning desires
They throw in the pit of their torturous fires.
Our lives are phantoms that haunt their nights
'Til morning sun rays chase away their frights.
Those of us living do so by trading
Our dignity, self and pride, ever fading
When we see our names on their bills of lading."

"So now comes a glimmer of hope, just a chance
That you will escape this long macabre dance." 
Her mother brought out a white linen dress
And talked while brushing out a long tress
Sad but determined, her mother made clear
Another man’s desire would soon be here
She had but few moments to help her see
Antoine could no longer help her be free.
Only by going with this unknown man
Could she find a freedom from this lost island
She cried and held tightly to her mother’s hand.

"But what of my child?  Of my little one?
Isn't there someplace safe I can run"?
"Don't you see?" Her mother wept.
That this secret has not been kept?
He knows of your romantic condition
This is an act that will bring him perdition
Nonetheless, he's acting in a fashion
That ignores your love and abiding passion
The world of les blancs is perpetually vexed
They quote from the Bible but ignore the text.
We live in this world but for the next."

"I cannot do it, I'd rather perish
Than be with a stranger 'stead of whom I cherish
This life is a nightmare, I must soon awake!
I'm feeling but shattered, look how I quake!"
Her mother held her as if to keep her together
Hoping to give her mind some tether
"My beauty, my daughter, my amazing grace
Let me but look on your loving face.
You must take heart now and Faith you need trust
That angels watch over, be strong as you must
Your child at least comes from love and not lust."  

“So now!” Mother shouted “You’ll do as I say!
Unless you think it better to stay
To labor ’til death in the hot kitchens
Enduring the desires of slave master wishes
Doorways creak open but once in a life
You must flee now as quick as a knife."
And with that she slipped her a small gleaming blade
A worn bone handle, so carefully made.
"This will protect you when you're all alone.
A woman’s body is rarely her own
In this men’s world, the only you’ve known."

"But what about God and what about faith?
Believing in mercy, power and grace?"
"The Mystery is ours to try to unravel
For those who are blessed, in bliss they do travel
It is the meek who are told they'll inherit
A mad broken world, we'll be tasked to repair it!
Faith in a Plan is all we are given
By a God who made Man whose family is riven
His power is not in those with great wealth
Nor shown by the strength of those in great health
But hidden in hearts that suffer in stealth."

"I'll pray for you so my beautiful one
That someday you'll live under freedom's warm sun
For here the hot rays only serve to beat down
The bodies and souls chained to this ground
Your love is but a delicate rose
Whose thorns have pricked the thin skins of those
Who desire great wealth and power to wield
Expecting even their children to yield 
And though it may seem that you're sacrificial
I hope you'll forgive me when this is official
And know that you are my sacred missal."

The Man ushered her into the study
Where sat another man, sea-worn and ruddy
“Monsieur Long, may I present to you
“Ma petite fille jolie, ma petite precieux.”
My little pretty girl,   my little precious
Grinning, Long grunted and nodded his head
Reached out his hand, “Closer” he said.
Shaking, she stepped, once and then twice
His hand touched hers, burning like ice
His eyes stared up at her, dark as a flue
His hair was greased back, a gray-blackened hue
He smelled of tobacco, the inside of a shoe.

"Why, by God's wounds, she's an uncommon beauty!
I'll have to stay healthy to do a man's duty."
He heaved a rough cough and rolled a red eye.
The Man smiled a little and let out a sigh.
"You'll have your hands full that's to be sure.
But don't think this lovely young lass to be pure.
I'll be quite relieved when she's off my hands.
I'll sleep better nights with her in far lands.
Just make me a promise, I'd rather you swore
That once you are gone I will see her no more."
His staring eyes darkened like the closing of a door.

“I’ll take her!” Long laughed, pursing his lips.
Leaning further forward he grabbed at her hips
Her mind froze in panic, this couldn’t be real
To be handed over without an appeal!
"Why if I'm correct this girl is with child
She seems so innocent yet she is wild!"
She pulled back in shock but held a calm face
Long just chuckled and released his embrace
“Seems I am getting a bargain today
One lovely slave girl and one tucked away.
The price of this package I'm happy to pay!"

The Man cleared his throat, "I had no idea!"
He stared at her darkly, "I'll need some more guinea."
"Fine!" Laughed the pirate, "more gold I don't need."
"But then again, I'll have more mouths to feed."
"You know these doubloons are mined in dark nations.
Where coins of the realm can buy new relations."
"Well," said the Man, "If true she's with child.
Then this as a bargain is easily styled.
I'll surely  be happy to unload this trouble.
And so I don't think you need to pay double.
But take care yourself not to pop that young bubble.

Their laughter erupted, her frightened mind reeled
She felt herself falling, embattled without shield
Alone with these men deciding her fate
As if she was nothing but food on a plate.
She fingered the knife, her hands shook with rage
She thought now's the moment to turn a new page
But her mother's voice came to her calm in her ear
Courage is only proved amid fear.
She held then as still as e'er she had
Told herself things would ne'er be so bad
And her unborn child would ne'er be so sad.

On a signed parchment, red wax sealed her fate.
The two men shook hands, “Let’s celebrate!”
Shackled and marched straight out to the pier
Lanmè fell headlong into consuming fear
Unable to say goodbye to her mother
She saw through her tears that there were others
To understand now that one is a chattel
Nothing more to them than two-legged cattle
'Twas only when Long returned from the shore
That he let her know she was much more
He'd make her his own enslaved paramour.

"You must have made a deal with the devil
And lived your life well out of level
For the man who sold you, enslaves your mother
If he has a son, then that boy would be your brother.
I'd try to untangle it but I've had too much rum
All that I know is with me you must come.
You'll have a new life out on the sea
You'll find a way to compensate me
For now, to be sure, I have a new vision
To take my advantage of nations' division
And acquiring you was an easy decision."

We're setting sail for colonies West
At plying these seas, the Spanish are best
But now come the English to clash with the French
And I'll capture booty with my comely wench
So gladden your heart, legends we'll be
And when your belly pops, why then we'll be three!
And no matter what flag a ship has unfurled
They soon find out it's a true pirate's world.
From old San Domingue to golden Vera Cruz
Round and round we go, never to lose
And when the French settle, I'll light a cannon fuse!"

Drowsing now on that Spring sunshine day
Watching the Indian children in their play
Touching the gold curls of her brown baby boy
His purple-green eyes of adoring young joy
She wondered at life’s strange winding road
Oceans and lands never dreamed she’d behold
How the pirate had taken her away
As she suffered the sea’s sick’ning sway
How this nightmare caused her to swoon
When came good fortune, none too soon
Life rose from darkness to sunshine at noon.

The ship she boarded had just sailed away
She'd waved to manman on the shore of the bay.
The last time to see her, she knew it to be
A prison of grief, but yet to be free.
Captain Benjamin Long had her delivered below
He gave her new clothes as if to show
He was a man of significant wealth
Still carrying on, the picture of health.
But this her first journey aboard a ship
Waves of nausea plagued her trip
She couldn’t eat and water, only sip.

How base was her life, how lost!
She stared at the waves, how tossed,
And felt herself drawn, closer than daring
To leap into the sea, nevermore caring
But the hope of a mother held her fast
She'd seek a new future and forget the past
Days brought them farther away from her home
She began to accept a life borne alone
Benjamin Long only laughed at her state
“It shall pass, sooner or late.”
“As my slave, to be my woman is your fate.”

While they sailed, she kept him at bay 
Sick through the night, asleep all the day 
"Soon we'll be anchored, a port in the storm 
Where we'll find a way to keep this bed warm 
You'll see that a good husband I'll be 
Gifts you will have from across every sea 
See how I've rescued you from your slavery 
One day you'll recognize my true bravery." 
Yet she just smiled and pushed him away"
Get to your helm before we lose our way."
He roared with a laugh, "I do hope you'll stay!"

The ship blown thus by portentous winds
To Port Royal, where forts built by pirates' sins
By an earthquake had been brought down
Where now ghosts of buried souls abound
Yet here the calm waters gave Lanmè rest
Long brought for her a new wedding dress
Her outward beauty hid all the fears
The veil she wore hid all the tears
And they were wed without her consent
A sham shipboard marriage, a silent assent
To his room below she was quickly sent.

Pacing below she heard them singing
Drunken revelry, her ears began ringing
This nightmare had but just begun 
And already she knew she’d have to run
She’d not concede to this grim fate
She’d not resign to such a state
That she would die was now a choice
Of this cold truth she could rejoice
She knew that the time had come for the test
She'd hidden a secret her mother knew best
She held the bone handle 'neath beating breast. 

But as she fought away her fright
She heard erupt a desperate fight
A clatter of voices, shouted curse words
The stamping of feet, clashing of swords
Then footsteps to her door drew near
Lanmè wondered what monster would appear
The door kicked open, now there a face
She couldn’t believe it, rooted in place
She dropped the knife, to her he flew.
“Lanmè!” He shouted “I’ve found you!” 
“My Antoine?  Is this really true?”

She thought him a ghost from some ocean-borne fever 
Then realized the Man had tried to deceive her 
"I thought you'd been murdered out on the seas! 
And now I see the treacherous ease 
With which those who wish us ill 
Can seek out our young dreams to kill."
 "My love" he said, "How all became clear 
When I saw your mother collapse from the fear. 
That I was alive and you were just sold.
But none of them understand how love is bold
And that our story is yet to be told."

“I thought I lost you,” he verily shouted.
Tears of relief his eyes freely spouted.
They held each other like gravity’s moon
She smelled his fragrance and willingly swooned
“I landed last week on San Domingue
“Found you’d been sold, immediately took wing
“We discovered your route, hastened our pace
“We knew that Long sought this ever wild place
"He wanted to reunite with his horde.
“With speedy ships and the tip of a sword
“He’s enriched his men and made himself Lord.”

He saw our flags coming toward the cape.
Knew he was trapped and made his escape"
Left the battle to his men, some are now dead
But more than that, what I most dread
Is how you were treated, what did you endure?
My mind is a fever until I am sure.
That he took care not to harm you.
According to De Graff he would try to charm you."
"Fear not my love, though time ran thin
Had you not come there would have been a mortal sin
For a blade would have stopped his black heart within."

He caressed her face with the deepest emotion
"And now my love our only foe is the ocean.
But as to our affairs we must take great care
Surrounded we are by men until we're there."
As if on cue, De Graff entered the room.
He bowed ever graciously, "We must sail soon!"
"Lanmè this man is whom we owe gratitude
His is the truer of a pirate's attitude."
"My lady," said he, a greeting she'd never heard.
"I promise to take you safely, I give you my word.
"But I must warn, that Long will not be deterred."

"Then damn him and let him come my way."
Antoine grew flushed, Lanmè now had her say.
"Monsieur De Graff, you are the answer to our prayers.
"And I do appreciate your concern in our affairs.
"Keenly aware am I of our precarious situation.
"As well as Antoine's precious reputation.
But we have together weathered many unkind storms."
De Graff smiled, "Your love, this pirate's heart warms.
My ship Le Francois will follow you West
Guiding you through waters we know best."
Departing with a bow, said "Now go get some rest."

Continued Antoine, "So my love you'll stay below
"While I guide our ship, ever you know
"That soon as the sun sets I'll be at your side
"And keep you well-fed my beautiful bride."
She smiled then and moved his hands to her hips
Said, "There is one more who sails on these ships."
Antoine furrowed his brow and shouted with pride.
But seeing him anxious, she held him and cried,
"If we are together there's nothing too hard
You'll do what you must, now go set the yard.
And know that your woman will child and life guard."

"But when did this, how did this miracle occur?"
"My dearest, the details, to which you refer.
"Should be seared to your memory of our sacred recline.
"Unless your mind is in a serious decline.
"Five and more months since we were together.
"Now the fruit of my womb will keep us more tethered.
"For now it is small but soon will be showing
"By the time we reach the shore, I'll be ever growing."
He laughed with amazement, as the truth now sunk in
"There's so much emotion roiling within
We'd better get married soon, not living in sin."

Then Antoine got down on one knee
Holding out a ring of fine filigree.
“This gold ring was made just for you
“Across the oceans with dreams of us two
“Not a day passed where I didn’t find
“Myself in a daze, you on my mind
“There I learned to save one’s self
“Is to devote the same to someone else.
“Please say yes to a future together
“Sharing lives in good or bad weather
“Feeling yet freed by tying this tether.”

Her heart filled with joy, and apprehension
As if she’d entered some new dimension
Yet in his eyes she felt such a calm
His hands soothed hers, a warming balm
“Yes, I’ll have you always to hold
“A man so brave and so wonderfully bold
“We’ll find new worlds and new life
“You my north star, me your wife
He rose, his eyes sparkling with tears
And said, “I’ll love you through all the years.
And protect you forever from all your fears.”  

When he'd brought her to his ship, Le Marin
And secreted her below, safely tucked in.
Antoine held her face in both of his hands.
Said, "Now we make for unexplored lands.
"Lanmè we are bound for our next adventure
"These ships we are on, we're part of their venture
“We sail onward now, to Destiny’s shore
“A small flotilla of ships, counting four
“We aim to create a new homeland
“Along a coast of rumored white sand
“And there we shall make our permanent stand.“

"But we must now deal with things prejudicial
"In order to maintain my place as official
"Our secret love must remain in the hold
"For our captain Iberville, though quite bold
"Believes this voyage is only for men.
And for your protection, you'll stay well within.
His brother Bienville, knows you are here
And has promised our shared secret to revere.
He well understands the dangers inherent
That some men's ways can be quite abhorent
And envious passions could arise, that's apparent."

Iberville nodded, "We're sure to succeed!
For this man Sauvole is the best sailor I've seen!"
Iberville thus spoken, this captain of men
Antoine demured, for he knew that then,
They had more important duties to mind
Like getting out maps, hoping to find
Hidden lost bays and islands to land
Searching for a river unmarked by sand
La Salle lost his life hoping to return.
Now the captain’s oil would steadily burn
Watching the bow and pacing the stern.

The ships set sails and aimed northwest
The winds took them steady without any rest
On through the Gulf the ships laden low
Filled with the colonists, anxious to show
A readiness for life in the New World
To see the French flag duly unfurled
As battles waged far across the oceans
And kings and emperors took their notions
Of conquest and wealth and rank competition
To secure for them some large partition
Of world history’s ever violent rendition.

Our flotilla of renown is worthy to name
So there's understanding of our larger game
Iberville captained the flag ship Le Badine
Joined by Bienville and French Marines
Next was Sauvole aboard Le Marin
Supported by Le Precieux and Le Biscayenne
The four were guarded by the guns of Le Francois
Carrying De Graff, worthy of a memoir.
Below decks on each were many an homme
Whose presence meant each were eager to roam.
Except for Lanmè, a long way from home.

As they sailed the two lovers grew
Strong in love, but her apprehensions renewed.
"What’s our fate, who will we be?
An unknown couple from across the sea?"
"We have the chance to remake life
"Me as your husband, you as my wife.
"Don't worry, Bienville knows our ruse
"But has forsworn to bury this news."
And while I do not want to be coy
Though a daughter would bring such great joy,
Jean-Baptiste he'll be named if it's a boy.  

They kissed and she began to hum
And dance around the dreams to come
"I know that we will be so grand
When e're we find this good new land
And build a house so strong and tall
And send invites to one and all.
There will be lords and ladies there
In beautiful dresses, and fancy hair
Hosting parties and nightly fine dances
Orchestras playing music that wholly entrances
Sumptuous tables of food that life enhances!”

She laughed aloud with sheer delight
She held him close with all her might
“You have concerns what I can handle.
"Trust me you can’t hold a candle,
"To what this woman you have chosen
"Can do, why much more than a bos’n
"Keeping our course but straight and true
"All while standing watch right over you
"And on that day when we have a child
"You’ll see how lovely I’ll be styled
"Swabbing the decks, not meek and mild.”

The night they married, two hands joined
To celebrate their lives thus enjoined
Father Anastasius gave the warmest of blessings
Sworn to the secrecy through their earnest confessings
A ring for Antoine, Bienville had made of brass
Lanmè gave it, with their hands clasped
They made their promises to each one
That now their lives had just begun
As the setting sun bade them 'cross the sea
Lanmè dreamed as a mother-to-be
And knew that soon the two would be three.

The night of their wedding the two then remained
The windy deck afforded some moments obtained.
Lanmè thus wondered at the world of so much more
Casting her eyes along the new distant shore
When murmurs of wonder ran through the crew
Who sighted the coasts as they passed through
Along the dark coast appeared luminous flames
As if devils and angels were playing at games
All through the evening, they watched the strange lights
On luminescent waves, such wondrous sights
Even the stars seemed to light up the nights.

When the ships arrived at Pensacola Bay             
A Spanish fort showed they held sway
Hailed with cannon fire, flags of rights
A landing impossible with coming night
These worlds were at war across the oceans
Regardless of more human notions.
Lanmè had joined with Antoine on deck
Breathing the air while craning the neck
To see this New World where they hoped to land
But they were seen but did not see, hidden on the sand
A familiar face, quite out of place, making a new plan.

Benjamin Long had shadowed the fleet
Hoping the they would once again meet
He saw opportunity in preventing the French
From finding safe harbor where they could entrench
Acting as a flagged British privateer
He worked with the Spanish to expand their frontier
Already he'd sent messages to the English royals
Letting them know he yet remained loyal
And that if given Naval support
He could cause the French plans to abort
And create a British-owned Gulf port.

The English had allied with Spanish might
To slow the French colonial fight
The world was shifting and pulling at tethers
Driven in part by years of cold weather
The Treaty of Ryswick recently signed
Made France a victor, though much maligned
As envy of kings in England and Spain
Faded in the shadows of the Sun King's long reign
Yet here on this faraway untrammeled beach
Antoine and Lanmè and all wished to reach
Some solid ground, their prayers beseeched.

Among the solemn soldiers, Long nervously shifted
His eyes upon the ships as they slowly drifted
There was a moment of pause guns to guns
Long knew the French the more capable ones
The cannons on board, Iberville in command
Ships full of French marines, all looking to land
This meager Spanish fort, so recently built and staffed.
Behind a flag weakly waving, and here comes De Graff!
But aboard Le Badine, Iberville had to stand down
His orders were to not engage on any Spanish ground.
Instead he ordered his lieutenants to take a further sound. 

As this story tells of history's sweep
And our characters cross the Gulfstream deep
I must take this moment to share some background
To explain why Benjamin Long is still around
Antoine's father had quite a long reach
And his jealous hand was here on the beach
His efforts to thwart his son's separate dreams
Involved the enactment of devious schemes
And thus he sent Long after the pair
"I'll pay a full price, how much I don't care
"To find him again, no matter the where!"

"If you want the slave girl, be my guest
"What I want for my son is what's best
"He'll return to San Domingue and take his place
"As heir to a fortune built for his race
"If captured she is and taken away
"He'll have no reason to suffer and stay."
Long, for his part, sought higher station
The money was good but he craved reputation.
Though both their cold hearts denied warm emotion.
What neither men knew was De Graff's devotion
And now he guided Antoine's trip 'cross the ocean.
 

Their hopes on the winds, their faith in their God
Their goal was to find some solid land to trod
With De Graff’s aid, the ships soon found
A calm and blue seaworthy sound
But when they stepped onto an isle
They found human bones in a pile
“Ile du Massacre”* named under the breath
And on they sailed, away from death
Iberville heard the weary sailors swoon
The long voyage needed to end soon
The piper called to hear the tune.
     *Now called Dauphin Island

Knowing this land infinitely vast
As Iberville knew from his recent past
He must find Natives with common desires 
To aid his search he'd need friendly fires
With Sauvole and Bienville in tow
They explored the coast enough to show
Their purpose was the friendly sort
That shows of force were shows of sport
At first they only caught brief sightings
Knowing their presence had to be frightening
The thunder of their guns spitting out lightning.

That February of sixteen ninety nine
The ships sailed in, hoping to find
Safe harbors from which they could explore
The bays and rivers and bayous galore
The islands that ranged along the coast
Sounding the depths, noting the most
Meanwhile, Sauvole, while helping the mission
Tended Lanmè in her precarious condition
Her belly was growing with each passing day
De Graff sent a message that he couldn't long stay.
Sauvole prayed that God would soon show the way.

Then Iberville saw fires two leagues to the north
With Bienville and the priest the party rowed forth
Accompanied by an Indian guide brought from New France
They landed their boats, taking great chance
They soon encountered Biloxi tribesmen unscared
But Iberville had never gone anywhere unprepared
He brought some gifts of trinkets and tools
Careful not to treat the sauvages as fools
The Biloxi returned the gifts of largesse
With baskets of food and words of finesse
Trading three of their own for Bienville as guest.

As Bienville powwowed and planned their big trip
Iberville took the Indians for a ride on their ship
When all were gathered back on the shore
They passed the peace pipe and promised much more.
The Biloxi would go out to hunt some wild beasts
And bring them back for an honoring feast.
The Spanish, they said, were not at all friends
And they'd help the French achieve their ends
"We are allied with Tangiboa and Oumas
But we are at war with the rank Quinnipissas!
And we'll happily feed you if you will then help us."

Such were the deals made all cross this land
By rubbing of bellies and shaking of hands
By smoking the calumets, showing respect
Learning the native tongues, one could expect
To find the routes opened and friendly receptions
All the while looking for subtle deceptions
Yet this was a moment of consummate joy
Not the time to be evasive or coy
And so while they waited for the feast to begin
Iberville dined on Sauvole's ship Le Marin
And laid out the rest of the colonists' plan.

"The Biloxi will help us find La Salle's traces
"And the mighty great river and other tribal faces
"They'll take us as far as the tough Bayougoulas
"But nearer to us are the peaceful Pascagoulas
"Sauvole you now know the means to our ends
"So find these good sauvages, make them good friends
"Meanwhile I'll feast with the chiefs of the nations
"And increase the dwindling stores of our rations."
Sauvole now saw the result of his prayers
As soon as he could he rushed down the stairs
To hold his sweet Lanmè and tend her cares.

Meanwhile Iberville awaited the feast
Held up by bad weather coming in from the East
Sauvole, with a guide, brought Lanmè to shore
And built a strong tent with food for her store
His guide spoke with the chief Pascagoula 
And said in their language, she would soon hallah hacha*
Several of the women arrived quite uncertain
But Lanmè, defiant, pulled down the curtain
Sauvole was distraught, he wiped a lone tear.
But Lanmè stayed strong, "We cannot show fear.
This baby will wait until you're back here."  
       *Native patois for "Give birth"

“I’ll only be days,” He promised her then
“I cannot say for sure exactly when.”
“Just safely come back,” she pleaded from shore
As the small boat rowed out to the moor.
Bravely, she turned and gathered herself
Returned to their hovel and built a small shelf
Upon it she placed their few meager things
A cup and some cutlery, then suddenly a twinge
She felt for the baby so quiet of late
The kicking and churning had begun to abate
She sang a song softly and settled to wait.

Meanwhile, though, fate made other plans
Benjamin Long had published the banns*
He was determined to own whom he'd bought
And so he followed and doggedly sought
The French-flagged ships that carried his prize.
He'd seen her himself with his own eyes,
While hiding out in the Spanish fort
To which he'd brought a privileged report
To help them repel this French invasion
And ally himself with the Spanish nation
To win again a valued reputation.
   *Banns: Official declarations of marriage

Long was ready to make good his boast
He sailed in secret along the coast
Keeping well a cautious distance
Waiting for a proper instance
And when he saw them disembark
Watching through a spyglass dark
He bided time as evil can
When residing in the heart of man.
And so his patience found reward
And agéd hand gripped angry sword
When Iberville's ships rowed westward.

De Graff now gone and Lanmè well hid
Sauvole joined the rest as Iberville bid
"We'll take two feluccas and forty-one men
Joined with Biloxi guides, find this river again."
They sailed for the river's coast some leagues away
Tortured by storms they soon found their way
Navigating small islands and directions by compass 
Passed by an island chain they named Candlemas*
And through shallow waters onward they sailed
Battling rough seas, desperately they bailed
Then muddy freshwater showed they hadn't failed!
		                              *Chandeleur Islands

The several ships then fired their guns
As if to shout, "We're the lucky ones!"
At last the mighty old river'd been found
At the mouth where the water was too deep to sound
Iberville commanded the ships to make way
And sail up the stream on this now famous day
The winds gave them help but they'd need some strong oars
To climb against the current their backs would be sore
The prayers for deliverance were never so hallowed
Hoping the hulls had all been well-tallowed
As the land and dark water the flotilla swallowed.

While Iberville's ships found their new way
A drama unfolded for our unwitting Lanmè
The dreaded Ben Long had launched his new plan
Joined with some comrades, all heartless, to a man.
Long knew the colonists stranded with their boats
Gathered round fires, wishing for coats.
Idled they'd be and willing to share
Casual knowledge of a who and a where.
The promise of wealth drove this abduction
His other desires, provided instruction
As he sought a chance to mete her destruction.  

Seeing his chances then suddenly improve
Benjamin Long made his bold move
He landed that night among the lower ranks,
Plied them with rum for which they gave thanks.
"I need to find a man named 'Sauvole'
To share secret knowledge to save the man's soul.
'Tis said , he travels with a dark-skinned beauty,
Who's provenance threatens his military duty."
A drunken young sailor who'd helped Sauvole's planning, 
Helpfully pointed from where he was standing
Across the small sound to Lanmè's secret landing.

She ran through the woods, ran for her life
She ran from the madness, captivity’s strife
The strength in her legs was bolstered by fear
But also with hope that freedom was near
She did not know which direction to take
She only knew she would run without break
Her life was a destiny lived through escape
She felt the hairs rise on the edge of her nape
Eyes wide with intention, the sliver of moon
Gave enough light to find safety soon
But suddenly she felt her whole body swoon.

More should be told of Ben Long's slim fate
When he left Lanmè in her desperate state.
His fear overcame his hunger for wealth.
He hurried away, concerned for his health.  
But he would not forego his evil inventions.
He weighed the values of France's intentions.
Now with the knowledge of Lanmè's location.
He saw some potential in such information.
He'd bide some more time, learn the trade routes.
Shadow the ships and their meager redoubts.
A pirate's instincts were never in doubts.  

As for our lovers, let us return 
Knowing that Lanmè never would burn
But saved by her courage, luck and resolve
Ensuring that her baby's new world would evolve.
The brave Pascagoulas who came to her aid
Carried her homeward where she was softly laid.
They returned to the paths that led to her tent
They followed Ben Long as he boarded and went.
They knew that fresh troubles had arrived with the whites
That they'd shoot in the days and hide in the nights.
That they'd ask for help in the midst of their plights.  

The natives had dealt with the French and their peers
For many a moon and numerous years
The mouth of the river was a White-borne obsession
For the Indians saw the real world their possession
The mouth of the river was a turbulent spout
Through bays and past islands were friendlier routes
For centuries past they'd plied the coast shallows
Not needing to venture beyond the swamp mallows.
But the ships bringing others needed deep sounds
Bringing their misery and careless bounds
As they sought to live on Indian grounds.  

Weep though we may for Indian fates
What was then known of dangerous straits?
That what was coming was a full on invasion,
The French with their ways of business persuasion
Some Indian tribes could be deferential
Some of them could even be reverential
But most were simply taking care of their own
With language and customs belonging to them alone.
And so for the Pascagoula who would become lost
In this sacred moment could not foresee the cost
Of helping a mother and child thus star-crossed.

And so it was that Ti Sainte's first days
Were spent in the care of Indian ways
Lanmè drank the teas that returned her strength
And healed from the unguents applied, 'til at length
She rose from the bed of moss and deerskin
And sat with the women and thus begin
A deep and shared friendship, a kinship of sorts
While the men and boys ran off for sports
They taught her some words to keep in her head
Oka for water, luak for fire, puluska for bread.
They wondered if her husband was living or dead.

Lanmè heard shouts several days after
The village became quiet ceasing all laughter
The baby was sleeping in comfortable bliss
But all around knew there was something amiss
A gunshot rang out, rending the air
Lanmè held the child closer, feeling the scare
But as the voices became bolder and loud
She recognized one that made her feel proud
She paused in her work, face flushed with pride
To see several soldiers with Sauvole by their side
He ran to her and joyfully, thankfully sighed.

"My darling, my love how much I did worry
As soon as I could I returned in a hurry.
The word I received from those left behind
Is that Benjamin Long sought you to find.
Guided he was by an ignorant lout
Who couldn't have known what he was about."
He held her close and realized with dismay
That she was no longer in the family way.
"The baby, my love, tell me all's right
That you were not alone nor birthing at night
That the moment of birth was not full of fright!"

Once they were back to their small canvas house
Lanmè looked happily at her weary spouse
But she couldn’t help but notice the tent
Was so much less pleasant than where she had spent
The days since the birth of their little one.
Yet, Sauvole beamed sleepily holding his son.
As she endeavored to clean up the mess
To make up their home and put on a dress
She wondered if life here would be what she dreamed
When she could see just how shabby it seemed
Hoping her faith in the world be redeemed.

Said Antoine, "Lanmè I returned with great haste
Flying down the river, no time to waste
We've discovered the mouth of the mighty Malabouchia
Traveled with the Bayougoula and Mongolacha
We met with the Oumas and spoke to their chiefs
Both sides watching the other as thieves.
My eyes have been opened to the truth of the world
That no country has the only flag unfurled
Frenchmen have traveled here for many a decade
Ever more looking for things to trade
Hoping a rich man's life to be made. " 

Then came the laughter that would soon fill their days
A raucous cacophony that left them amazed.
The baby stared at them in their deep weariness
And responded in kind with exuberant cheeriness.
They both couldn't help but laugh right along.
And as if on cue, came an Indian song
Carried in the air from some celebration
Reminding that joy has no limitation.
That one has only to make the bold choice.
That rather than weep, one should rejoice
Into the vast silence send a musical noise!