by BAR Poet-in-Residence Raymond Nat Turner
Commemorating
Beyond Vietnam,
Celebrating
Grassroots pregnant with
Struggle
Light up in Harlem
by BAR Poet-in-Residence Raymond Nat Turner
(BAR 7th Anniversary Celebration)
“Over truth there is light” – Moroccan saying
Friday night and a
Light burns bright
Up here in Harlem—
Bright like LED smiles
Of Douglass, Delaney
Walker, Cornish and Ida B.
We’re that light tonight…
We’re that light tonight,
Illumination
Lineage of tens of
Of thousands of torchbearers
Dealing Defenders,
Dispatches, Eagles,
Afro-Americans,
Mysteries, North Stars,
Freedom Journals, New York
Globes, Boston Guardians and
Memphis Free Speech & Headlights
We’re that light tonight…
We’re that light tonight,
Back at Riverside
Commemorating
Beyond Vietnam,
Celebrating
Grassroots pregnant with
Struggle birthing the
March on Washington
We’re that light tonight…
We’re that light tonight,
Not neon soldiers
Of Fortune 500
Foundation followers
Mumbling mule madness
We’re that light tonight…
We’re that light tonight
Streaming from Philly,
Connecticut, Jersey,
Filtering in from
Atlanta, Massachusetts,
Parts west, popping corks
On Champagne and wines
Red and white, toasting
Truth telling, illuminating
The people, instead of
“Speaking truth to power,”
Under Bill Clinton’s
Desk, like chittlin-breath
Buffoons are prone to do…
We’re the light tonight!
Raymond Nat Turner can be contacted at upsurgejazz.com.
Raymond Nat Turner © 2013 All Rights Reserved
“You belong to us, body and belongings, and we can dispose of them and do with you as we please.” Holy Roman Emperor Louis VI in 1343.
When oppressed people get organized, the US gets angry. It's been punishing the people of Cuba since 1962.
We remember Patrice Lumumba. We will not forget the Congo.
Corporate media excel at misdirection and telling outright lies. Independent media must have a seat at the table when opportunities arise to cover events such as relief efforts for the people of Gaza.
Colonized people must be in solidarity with the oppressed and by definition, that means being anti-zionist.
