they tried to bury us.

They; They;

Tried to, tried to bury us, they tried to bury us but they didn't know we were seeds.

They tried to bury us but they didn't know we were seeds with shoots,

We came from lands, rich in soil, we've got roots,

They didn't know our people cannot be afraid of the dark they fear,

Absorbing light to grow skin as thick as bark, as smooth as warm tarmac.

They; they;

They tried to bury us; They tried to bury us but they didnt know we can't be contained,

They didn't know our bellies could convulse with laughter;

Clapping seal-like at the volcano of chuckles hacking away at the neck of our throats,

They didn't know we could launch forward in unison at our jokes;

and still have gravity catch this fade - yo.

They; they;

They tried to bury us but they didn't know know we couldn't die in silence,

They didn't know we wouldn't come and go with ease,

They didn't know our first mother had a deal with death,

That she broke everything open with the Black boy,

She wet land with his blood and water first;

She fed it and made covenant,

Let there be life.

They didn't know our lives and deaths would make earth remember.

They; They tried to bury us but they didn't know we were sound itself,

Therefore each a stunning beat;

Therefore each a music replicated - by them.

They didn't know our bodies have spat out their oppression in dance, in song, in rhythm, in blues,

That our limbs have tasted, & tested, always the freedom that is ours,

They didn't know ''it's gon' be alright'' started with several head nods, a fist and a frown.

They tried to bury us but they didn't know we could do more than survive.

They tried to bury us but they didn't know we were seeds.

Copyright Felicia Olusanya. FELISPEAKS.

All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission.