"One Day You Gon' Rise Like Heat to the Sky"

“Summertime and livins’ easy; fish jump high”

Slave song my mom sang me, author unknown

Each night at bed – now me to my daughters

Tradition unwritten cannot be owned.

“Daddy’s rich and mama’s standing by, so…”

We tell our girls white lies: “Cotton’s King,” and

“You can be anything.” (Her own dreams deferred.)

Lull’byes deeper than sound, it too still stands.

“Hush, lil baby girl, no woman, no cry”

Freedom is to be. Slings, arrows? Beasts of

Burdens to next in-lines who must react?

Freedom is free to those chance more beloves.

Fear-free: Death; dreams. Heir-a-parent flesh won.

Lull’byes’ sweet song; sleep in peace when day’s done.