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Rooted in Zion
By Kweens Crown
Rooted in Zion
I am a child of the tribal ones.
Pressed down, shaken together, and running over
I am abundant
in THESE ghetto streets.
Blessed by the voices of praying
matriarchs practicing their pitch
seated at the countertops of white-only establishments
just so we could eat
today,
Still, we sit in their seats.
Fighting for equality in a land, born of our mother’s womb,
where our blood saturated the foundation.
Begging to be treated equally.
Only wanting to order our food,
and try not to disturb the peace no more than our presence has already.
Yet we,
or should I say they
bravely sat, knowing
they were unwelcome.
Knowing that retaliation was certain.
Either the wrong move,
tone,
or person
assuming the wrong assumption,
would have them dancing with death
instead of the usual flirting.
Still, they sat
Heads lowered as if saying Grace
Blazing a trail that met them with resistance,
manifesting as fire hydrants.
Sparking a trend that set the world on fire.
Because of the courageous leaders they were
we are all blessed to go home to
Brick and mortar carcasses.
Bandos decorated like houses
by hood artists better than Picasso.
The oxymoron of being free
echoing louder than the clicked locks
On closed doors all down Market Street.
They sat so the world could see
Visions of democracy
Through the bravery of five teens.
Meet the Poet – Kweens Crown
Atlanta born, Chattanooga hearted 🌟. Proud mom of two, one a fierce cancer survivor 💪. Author, poet, and performer with 20+ years of writing and 7 years of slaying stages 🎤.
VP of Rhyme N Chatt and founder of Tree of L.Y.F.E Foundation, spreading love, light, and awareness 🌈. Intuitive Spiritual Coach guiding you to inner peace 🧘♀️. Painting, writing, and vibing to good jams when not spreading mental health and cancer awareness 💖.
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