These Feet

The streets of Montgomery, 1955 A tired seamstress refuses her seat to a white man “tired of giving in” But although she was tired, she took a stand… by sitting down. From that day on the streets of Montgomery began to see more feet and less buses These feet still walk The same feet that ran from fire hoses and dogs, Feet that were woken up in the middle of the night to find burning crosses, That were on their way to a peaceful protest and heard, “Daddy when are you coming home?” when the question should have been, “Are you coming home?” Feet that shared a minister’s dream, The same feet that marched on Washington! But these feet still walk These feet walked over the hot coals of injustice but did not come out unscathed For the fires of arrogance have charred and scarred them, Unceasing and relentless were the flames as they continued to oppress and repress, outing up their best defense against these strong feet. But these feet still walk These feet carried a heavy load as they climbed the treacherous staircase to “equality” But while these feet have shared similarities with atlas, they continue to endure the sharp serpent’s tongues of their conceited peers. You see, these feet have known no soft ground They have been out in the ruthless cold for decades, attempting to wipe themselves off and step inside onto the supple carpet. They have walked forward into the dark, continuing on the path of their ancestors only to face challenge after grueling challenge But these feet still walk.