WHAT MY PEOPLE HAVE ENDURED
( FORWARD AND BACKWARD )
BY CHARLIE TEE
What my people have endured every man should put asunder
What my people have endured makes God cry out with bold thunder
The things we've done for dignity, should bring tears often to you
and me
When all I've asked was to be seen as a man, to share my gifts
throughout the land
Instead you see me as a threat, like an invisible force which makes you
sweat
You can look at me and call me nigger, but truth is I'm not
confuse I know this river
I've helped guide your hand with the surgeon's knife,
I've built you things that add quality to your life
I've loved your children as if they were mine
I've shaped your dreams with traces from mine
Iive given you hope, but you won't see mine
Show me the justice, isn't it time
It's time you see me more than some ape
It's time you realize that your God who is my God too gave me
shape
I'm not your enemy see here i stand, I'm holding my heart out
in my hands
Yes I may be the darker brother, but didn't my God who is your
God too say
to love one another
What my people have endured yes it's an amazing feat
But don't look at that just stand with me because only together
can we be complete
reading downward dedicated to JAMES M. TUITT
reading upward dedicated to MOS DEF
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
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2 comments:
You sound a little like a Sister, Sherry. I like the syncopation.
Nice poem.
hi, well charlie has a lot of soul, not cause he's black but cause he's a special person. hope you have a happy christmas!
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