In my book, Wrathful Empathies, The 2nd Raid on Harpers Ferry, I re-imagine William Blake’s poem “America, A Prophecy” take place in modern Appalachia. A few raiders hand selected by John Brown escape the final onslaught and flee through the darkness up and into the surrounding mountains. The misty crags and dark hollows become their refuge across generations. The kindred spirit of their spiritual leader never diminished amongst this small population but only grow in intensity. The prophecy in William Blake’s poem speaks of a character called Orc. He is the son of Los and Enith and the embodiment of rebellion. When he is finally unleashed from the chains that bind him to the Iron Mountains, he confronts and destroys Urizen. Much like Luke Skywalker in the first Star Wars movie, Orc does not know his heritage nor the force that lies within him. My first novel describes his languishing in the banality of ignorance. Lord save his enemies when he awakes to his true power.
