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Sequence for Mumia Abu-Jamal

Denis Brutus | 28.01.2009 21:56

Mumia Abu-Jamal on Prison Radio:
 http://www.prisonradio.org/mumia.htm

Denis Brutus Freedom Fighter of Global Apartheid

I:

Some voices must be silenced
they threaten the structures
of seemingly safe respectable lives
their clear vibrations
may shatter the crystalline shelters
that encase us from reality
shielding us from unbearable truths

but some may choose not to be deaf
they beat with broken palms
against the smooth impenetrable glass
of lies and comfort and power
and beg to hear the piteous cries
rising from the smoke and fire:

II:

The smooth impenetrable glass
of indifference and uncaring
is cool and pleasant to the touch
like the stone heart of power
that conceals the rottenness within.

III:

In the night
anger burns like fire
along the veins
in the brain
and at the core
of the anguished
unavailing heart.

IV:

Red and orange and saffron
the fiery ghosts
rise in the night
to sear the dreaming brain
and blast the wakeful eyeballs
staring into the dark:
images of terror.

V:

Red, bright red as blood
luminous with life
anger runs through the brain
anger against injustice
anger against pain
anger against impotence

And red, red as a rose
red as soft red velvet
red as a deep red rose
with shadows dark to black
red as poppies in sunlight
red as the blood of children
in the dust of Soweto
(come see the blood of children
in the streets of Soweto)
red as poppies in sunlight
with their fragile beauty
with their indestructible beauty
steadfast under battering rain
so strong, so red our courage:
we will not bow down
we will not submit to defeat
our courage will endure
our truth will survive.

VI: Postscript

When the blight of stillness advances
when songs and speech are silenced
when a light of life and laughter is gone,
the spirit still speaks and endures
like sparks that flash from silica
tough stardust, common dust of the world.

Denis Brutus