To kill a fire bird
a raging soaring menace
a phoenix sun
with a Barkley finish
horsepower to the people
trailblazing chemist
who want this smoke
who want this Pontiac war
combined all resistance
for maximum reward
the lightning that kindled
a rainbow coalition
the young eye of a perfect storm
they watched you ball out
in the 1st quarter
hate to see you in the 4th
had to kill you in your dreams
couldn’t let em run it’s course
forged your path with force
ain’t no way to face a rhino
bulldozin with a bullhorn
worth your heavyweight in gold
eatin tall grassroots
full on food for soul
poachers at yo back and front door
can’t let you break the mold
betrayal brought em straight to your waterhole
hang your headstone on the
mantel for the world to know
they had to reverse the river flow
before you link with the ocean
engulf every ground they stole
.
Chairman
A Tribute to Fred Hampton
By Ayinde Cartman
A cold. blood. sacrifice.
by the servants of sin
made sure we never
see your eyes flicker again
cut the spark at the root
before it splash in the wind
one explosive adolescent
trembled the whole foundation
you embarrassed the state
at a third they age
victory lap in Maywood
onto the main stage
nip the doubt in the bud
and rattled the cage
couldn’t help but listen to every word you say
couldn’t help but follow every way you made
a play by play for our day to day
we need what we need
need it right away
heard there were black panthers violating women
and barged up in they space
had em shakin in they berets
integrity unphased
what I’d give to sit
in your living room today
just a few minutes away
head full of gray
with a wisdom of ages
in your folding face
mapping an uprising
that can’t be traced
helping me pace
move with saving grace
reminding my spirit
that there is no race
