Homage to Black Madonnas

Venerable black women You of yesterday, you of today. Black mothers of tomorrow yet to be These lines are homage to you, for you. Magnificent black women The poets and singers have been remiss Have sung too few poems and songs of you And the image makers have not recorded your beauty. Sheba, Nefertiti, Zaiditu, Cleopatra. Black women, Mothers of humanity, Mother original Your black children here salute you. You, bartered, sold, insulted, raped and defiled, Debased and debauched for four centuries. Strong women, Gannet, Tubman and Truth. Weary black women Your breasts gaunt from nurturing theirs first And later sustaining yours, caring for theirs At the same instance providing for yours also. Women forgotten, Mandy, Melindy, Cindy, and Lisa. Gentle black women While being hated, yet teaching love Being scorned, yet teaching respect Being humiliated and teaching Compassion. Humble women, Bessie, Mattie, Lucey, Ann and Willie Mae. Resourceful black women, with tact Managing to make do, alter clothing, Stretch meals, Making room, Prodding, Bolstering Nudging us on, Protecting, teaching survival. Laney, Bethune, Keckley, Terrel and Brown. Militant black women, defending yours with fury Standing firm, picketing and demonstrating Kneeling in, sitting in and wading in Standing, walking, marching and boycotting. Parks, Wells, Pleasant and Louvestre. Discerning black women, women of genius Setting your children a proper example Teaching that each generation must do its part To improve life for those coming after. Nannie, Gaines, Burroughs, Maggie Walker. Courageous black women, brave and fearless Seeking to make a home among the unfriendly Sending your children off to school To pass unscathed through walls of hate. Lucy, Bates, Richardson, and Hamer. Angry black women and understanding Aware of efforts to stunt your men Yet urging them manhood again. Diana, Gloria, Thelma, Ethel, Eva and Marion. Heroic black women, women of glory Not turning back, never giving up Equalling, surpassing the stature Of any race of women, anywhere, any time. Billie, Ella, Dinah, Sis-Sirretta, Mahalia. Black women of genius, brilliant women Walking through the hateful valleys In dignity, strength and such serene composure That even your enemies tremble insecure. Hansberry, Talbert, Bonds and Baker. Magnificent black women, hopeful women Believing that trouble doesn't last always Knowing this truth, that those who are slaves today May well be the masters tomorrow, even sooner. Sisters with all women, black women Your sufferings echo those of all the oppressed. Join together all of you in a universal cry For Peace and the good life for all. The world listens.