Poetry Thursday - late ... sorry...

We are Marching

~Carrie Law Morgan Figgs

  

                   1.

We are marching, truly marching 

   Can’t you hear the sound of feet? 

We are fearing no impediment 

   We have never known defeat. 

                     2. 

Like Job of old we have had patience, 

  Like Joshua, dangerous roads we’ve trod 

Like Solomon we have built out temples. 

   Like Abraham we’ve had faith in God. 

                     3. 

Up the streets of wealth and commerce, 

   We are marching one by one

We are marching, making history, 

  For ourselves and those to come. 

                     4. 

We have planted schools and churches,

   We have answered duty’s call. 

We have marched from slavery’s cabin 

   To the legislative hall. 

                     5. 

Brethren can’t you catch the spirit? 

  You who are out just get in line

Because we are marching, yes we are marching 

   To the music of the time. 

                     6.

We are marching, steady marching 

   Bridging chasms, crossing streams 

Marching up the hill of progress 

  Realizing our fondest dreams. 

                       7. 

We are marching, truly marching 

   Can’t you hear the sound of feet? 

We are fearing no impediment

   We shall never know defeat. 

This poem is in the public domain. Originally published in 1921. Published in Poem-a-Day on February 1, 2020, by the Academy of American Poets.

These are unprecedented times and yet it is the same bs as ever. It is heartbreaking to know that Carrie Law Morgan Figgs was writing about marching and lack of fear and not knowing defeat in 1921... and here we are in 2020 still marching demanding justice and the ability to LIVE.  But I share it here, anyway, so we can recall the ancestors, their spirit and their fight, and the need to keep marching.