Barren Hearts, Fruitful Wombs
sing for the mothers
cry for the mothers
moan for the mothers
with barren hearts and fruitful wombs
spirits broken
leaky souls drained of love
wail their moans
weep for their wounds
who understands their woe
the liquor they swallow
is to dull the pain
their world is a dungeon
filled with heroin or crack cocaine
coursing through their veins
they use to silence terrorist demons
that torment their souls
who will really see
that the men creeping in and out
of their bedroom doors
are only a band-aid for heart aching sores
don’t call them whores or junkies
they’re only a product of this country
striped of ancestral wisdom
culture snatched
when our foremothers were brought
to these so called united shores
they united in striping us
of our dignity, language and families
it’s time to restore
it’s time to look these mothers in the eyes
look at the reality of why they cry
sing for the mothers
cry for the mothers
moan for the mothers
barren hearts fruitful womb
accept them as they are
show them you care
everyone has a reason
why they are what they are
some are only scarred
unable to cope so they take dope
they have no faith
in these so-called united states
they only do what they’ve seen
of course they lie
this country was founded on a lie
they spew out slander, trick and connive
it the only way they know to survive
her foremothers were slaves
and she still has a slave’s mentality
she sacrifices her children for a dollar
or any man giving her a holla
we were brought here
robbed of our heritage
they threw us their garbage
and some of us sucked it up
happily grateful for some sup
it’s time to throw that shit back
let us educate our own
sing for the mothers
cry for the mothers
moan for the mothers
barren hearts fruitful womb
yeah she’s a dirty disease infested
skinny drug addicted alcoholic
wearing a dress of death and gloom
she may have lied, cheated, deserted
and aborted the fruit of her womb
we can still take her in our arms
lovingly accept and educate her
show her she is a descendant of queens
mother to the pharaohs of Egypt
maybe then we’ll see mothers
with fruitful wombs and loving hearts
giving birth to a proud nation
that nurtures their sisters and brothers
maybe then there won’t be
any more killing of ourselves
or our babies dying in the streets
shot down by faces
that look like you and me
who is willing to go
into the spiritual birthing room and labor
sing a song for the mothers
cry for the mothers
moan for the mothers
who are not yet free
in these so-called united states
The Souls' Poet 