Friday, October 29, 2010

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabbazz

A giant with the weight of a million dreams

carried effortlessly

on the most deserving of shoulders.

We call our kings from amongst ourselves,

You have the power to speak

to inspire decades after you leave us.

We held you in the arms of our hope

and maybe we held too tight

But because you fought

fight we did.

Teaching the world yes was no obligation

if you are not party to any contractual obligations.

We cannot be both the lovers

and the fighters.

You fought so that you could love

and taught the dignity of saying no

with a free voice

rather than living bowed and bound.

Because of that I will be courteous beyond measure

but someone will see the cemetary before I am cowed.

I wonder if they know in their attempt to silence you

That you live more virily in your death

That your life is carried through the whispers

that link history,

place and time.

To teach is the greatest gift to yourself,

It gives you immortality.

You will never die

as long as there is resistance,

As long as closed fists pound glass ceilings

and booted feet kick towards freedom.

Thank you brother El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

Nimo Hussein

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