I met a minister the other day,
	And talked with him about things down Fourth Ward way.
	Words of discouragement was what he had to say.
	In our troubles he wanted no play.
	
	He was satisfied with what he's got,
	And satisfied with what his money bought. 
	No further justice for him need be sought,
	He wasn't interested in our lot.

	I know we would NEVER hear this sort of thing
	From the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King:

	"There are wrongs, but they can't be righted.
	The system's too strong. You cannot fight it.

	The powers that be are too entrenched in place,
	There is no hope for rights for my race.

	I have a dream that will never come true,
	There is no hope for me and you."

	Where would Black people, America, and the whole world be
	If we did not have his legacy?

	What if kids did not aspire for higher things,
	And sold drugs so they could buy diamond rings?

	I know we would NEVER hear this sort of thing
	From the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King.

	With life to live, we have to try.
	We can't see injustice and let it pass by,
	For without hope we all die.

	"If I have what I need, why would I want more?
	There is no way to help the poor."

	But God above me knows the score,
	He's up there inside Heaven's door.


-- Mark Smith, Valentine's Day, 1999 [graphics courtesy of ] 

Fourth Ward Index Poem for Sarowiwa Tree of Life Poetry Circle Political Songs Houston Progressive