Living Up To Promises
I am Blind Willie Johnson
Standing outside City Hall singing
"If I had my way
If I had-a, a wicked world
If I had-a, ah Lord, tear this building down..."
I am Varetta Dillard, Water Jackson & Robert Winters
Leaning on crutches on stage singing
“Take me as I am….”
I am Peg Lag Howell
Creating dances for the Black community
Doing Georgia Crawl, Peg Leg Stomp, Beaver Slide Rag
I am Brigardo Groves
Striking the keys
Grooving the youth while teaching
I am Malcolm Samuel
Sticking up a middle finger to the po po
And delivering Paper Bullets through poetry
I am Blind Mamie Forehand
Bringing the holy ghost in a man’s world
Opening eyes to "Honey In The Rock..."
I am Chick Webb
"Spinnin'" The Web with two sticks
Boom boom pop pop bang bang killing that drum
I am Al Hibbler mix with Curtis Mayfield
Writing messages for the community in lyrical form
"Night And Day" in "New World Order"
I am history
Coming back to carry out what should have been taught
Once upon a time there was a story
Listen to the invisible
Who was visible before pen & paper
I am the page you’re turning
Finally learning
What has been erase
Pace yourself
I am Ray Charles
Moaning "Hey Mister you better listen..."
None of us are free. None of us are free. None of us are free,
one of us are chained. None of us are free.
I am America
Bleeding and healing
Land of promises need to live up to them
By Leroy Moore
12/4/10