April Is National Poetry Month!
ELEGY WRITTEN IN AMERICA
FRENCH HODGES
POET X ACTOR X EDUCATOR
Born down in Georgia
Died in Tennessee
Non-violence was his method
Love was his plea.
He lived with a dream
Told it to all he met
Many still remember
Others will forget.
Believed in the ballot
Taught it all around
Taught it in the country
Taught it in the town.
In nineteen-hundred, sixty three
He went to cash a check
Tried to cash a check for freedom
America shot him in the neck.
Many things they called him
Nigger, gentle warrior, king,
Fool, dreamer, prophet, saviour,
He who bade freedom ring.
Freedom never did start its ring,
The dream never came true
The check never was cashed,
A debt unpaid comes due.
Born down in Georgia
Shot down in Tennessee
Love was his greatest gift
Freedom was his plea.
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