' I Know My People' Poem by Eric Washington Washington

I KNOW MY PEOPLE.
I've seen their suffering and their tears,
Their anger and their fears.
I've seen them work amongst the mills,
In cotton and sugar fields.
Working with bleeding hands,
And refusing to give up then.
While tortured with whips and ropes,
And they still believe in hope.
I KNOW MY PEOPLE.
I've seen them laugh.
I've seen them cry.
I've seen them live.
I've seen them die.
I've seen their spirits,
And their dreams.
Their respect and self-esteem.
Their unity as one,
AMONGST A RISING SUN.
Yes!
I. KNOW. MY. PEOPLE.