ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, August 31, 1996 TAG: 9609040051
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 7 EDITION: METRO
Hear Patricia Johnson read her poem ``Somebody's Child.'' Call 981-0100 (382-0200 in the New River Valley), then extension 7810.
by Patricia Johnson
It's a sign of the times.
They're burning black churches in the south.
They're burning black churches in the south.
Thin-haired deacons shake their heads left to right
on bended knee at the prayer bench.
Gray-haired sisters press their fists to grim lips
and hum-hum-hum.
The old negroes pray
forgotten prayers of freedom, faith, fortitude.
They wear out their knees
refuse to wag their tongues
or shake their fists because
they're burning black churches in the south ...
Somebody's child couldn't stand to hear
a sister hum her woes to the Lord:
"Precious Lord, take my hand."
Somebody's child couldn't stand to hear
a brother pour out his soul in prayer:
"We come, Father, on bended knee
humbly asking for your blessings.
We ask that you bless the weak
the sick, the weary!
We ask that you lift them up.
Lift them up father."
Somebody's child couldn't stand to hear
the congregation sing praises to their Lord.
"Glory! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Thank you Lord!" ...
Can you see, reflected in the shards of shattered glass
the generations of families dressed in their best,
the homecomings and suppers served on the grounds?
Staring at the charred church bell can you hear
the young people lift their voices in gospel song
"We've come this far, by faith."
Can you see how of a time choir robes replaced gang colors?
It's messed up!
Somebody's child is being prayed for by
the membership of a church
he burnt to the ground ...
It's messed up!
Somebody's child could have skin blackened
by genes old as time.
Somebody's child could have started
a race war.
The old negroes sigh.
It's a sign of the times
They recognize
Somebody's child
Is burning black churches in the south.
- PATRICIA JOHNSON
LENGTH: Medium: 69 linesby CNB