Freedom Archives Prayer

[This poem is read by Sonia Sanchez ]

I pray that the poor
recover
breathe deeply sun-dappled
reclamation a repast
of sweet relief

i pray that the martyred and murdered
rise
in the light of infant-cradled
smiles rainbow chants
and morning hymns

i pray that the innocent
restore
ebony-boned crescendos
glory sounds drumming
upon the shores

i pray that the predators
perish
swallowed by their greed-stuffed
sump pumps gulping
in the wind

i pray that globe-grabbing cannibals
consume
themselves roasted in black gold
wraiths irradiated
by wrung-earth remains

i pray that the demons
drown
beneath the pounding footprints
left by audacious dancers
in the dawn

let us pray that day and night
embrace
subversive lovers unafraid
of sweat-redemption
emancipation’s creed

let us pray
let us pray
amen

April 2001