'Free' Poem by Crystal Nealey

How far are we pushed until we say enough is enough
how hard must we fight until we finally give up
what was the purpose of my birth upon this traumatized land
why could I have not died at conception as an unfertilized egg

So much turmoil building up inside me
twirling, bubbling, begging to be released
They say my ancestors died so that I might one day be free
but in our ignorance of our past we still commit the ulitmate sin of you for you and me for me

But I say 'Free from what? '
from Martin to Malcolm and Harriet they died so that we might have hope
But look at the black race and tell me are we really free
so many of us gunned down by gang members and they are a part of our own damn family

You ask that man in chains if he's free
and then ask him when will he be released
Ask that mother whose daughter was just raped and killed
if today was a sweeter deal

Ask that homeless man living under that bridge, all pride gone
what circumstances caused him to lose his home
We are still in chains because we fail to see
that instead of me 4 me and u 4 u it should be me 4 u and u 4 me

Hundreds of years have come and gone since Martin said 'Free at last'
But we are still bound by hardships because we have forgotten our past
so I am no longer a slave, working on a cotton plantation
but instead rendered apart by poverty and devastation

Ms. Angelou said, ' I know why the caged bird sings'
so then why are we still running the game for material things?
And Martin still says ' Free at last'
but this race has become all about the cars and cold hard cash

So what do we do you might say
for this thugs life is the only way
But Martin said ' Thank God almighty I'm free at last'
all you really have to do is just remember.......your past.