ONE. NINE. SIX. EIGHT.
BY LE'VAR HOWARD
Too many men, too many voices raised
in action. Hundreds shout in one
rage. One flame. One echo. Loud
solid, fluid as the Thunder bursting
through fields and warm skies.
No Fear can rule when blood boils,
this hot. And rage depends. Thickening
smoke until stone is Black and iron
is memory. Such violence is only
spoken when true. Who chose this
language as a man means to commune …
who accepts this offering.
in its gorge bludgeoned testimony
who prayed for this ceremony,
is this violence American
Ritual. Is this fire, a flame
for eternity.
From the destruction from uprise the
evil will be see light and be
afraid. They will cave. They
WILL CRINGE. They will beg, hide, bite their nails, shift blame
for the hour exposes
there are cowards under the sun.
They… THEY ARE COWARDS!!! …
Whisper this… Never...
Not love, they have no love of
GOD. They know no labor, these
works. Dark works. They have
taken no journey. Make them
respect the walk of life.
Oh, let's not mistake.
Those who stand shield and armor
Steady weights are those serious
to their duty. Those few are
Straw man. Not to be confused with
the rest, and pack for they
know truth as you do. They do
welcome the battle at times for
they understand the only way sometimes
to speak is through such instruments
and this is your song.
1968, Rise. 1968. Rise.
1968 … Rise and be Reborn.
Few will ever know these words
few will ever understand what
they mean. But you will remember.
You will feel. You will know.
One. Nine. Six. Eight. | LH