Amiri Baraka
A Thousand Paper Chains
Respire into peace,
And hear the rain,
Ebony touching open sky,
Smells of ashes
From the hanging tree,
The softness of rose petals
Etched upon weathered memories
Like yesterdays, the gifts you left.
Release the link
With the same humble stature
That glided his well worn quill
Into the deepest parts of every heart
It touched,
Because even hatred
Knows the truth that lay
Written upon the hides of slaves.
Close the tired eyes
That envisioned the death
Of a dream and made it real,
That shunned the sneers
And humbly wiped away
The putrid smell
Of anglo-saxon spit
From cheeks of color.
Write loudly and proudly,
And rejoice in the death
Of a dream become reality,
Break through the pain,
Feel the rain,
Listen..hear the gasping breath
Of the multitudes rejoice
For a thousand paper chains.
....
