Amandla!

Movement I: Invocation of the Muse

Be with my heart and mind
As I transcribe anguishes of my world
That move me to tears
Despite being distanced
By cultures, continents and eras.
Invoke the consciousness of the fallen:
Malcolm, Martin and Garvey—
Mini, Kuti and Marley.
Help me to realize that the question
Is not only, “What’s going on?”
But also, “What went on?”
And, “Why must it never happen again?”


Movement II: Chains

I see chains—
chains on the dogs
not being held back;
I see chains—
chains on the guns
held to my back,
target in line
no choice but attack;
I see chains—
chains on the fences
keeping me out;
I see chains—
linking the cuffs
you place on my wrists;
I see chains—
the same as my ancestors,
that I now inherit
along with their scars,
their tales, their pains.
Since my grandparents
first came to the land of the free;
I see chains—
of suffocation, degradation, isolation,
segregation, aggravation, alienation—
where the fuck is my emancipation?
I see chains—
10,000 arms marching as one.
We sing the songs
of ancestors lost,
but never forgotten:
“The Battle Hymn”
“Amazing Grace”.
At least in our toil
we have found a place.


Movement III: Cry Freedom

Shrieking cries;
Tears rage;
Whips crack;
Pain-filled lashings;
Suffering innocence—
This is the solace
that our dreams offer.
Amid their haunting,
I hear the cries of my people:
We shall overcome!
We shall overcome!
We shall overcome!
Freedom!
Freedom!
Amandla!
Freedom!