Granny said that every kind of thing
Has a seed and that each and every seed
Produces its reaping own: be it good or bad;
At the time, it was hers and Sunday’s School
Lesson to be taught and remembered, but I never
Got the allegorical message of it: the good or the bad;
Now, that I’m old and gray, I am aware that we all sow
Scattering seeds not just for self, but also for others
To reap as well: be the reaping brings good or bad.
Now, I know that many moons ago, evil scatters
Ran through our neighborhood fields throwing
Strange seed everywhere: burdening seeds.
Some fell on the streets and were wheeled infertile;
Some fell in the gutters and were washed wayward;
Others fell between sidewalk cracks onto fertile ground
Germinating and bearing strange fruits ripening evil woes:
Today, we reap and weep black-on-black crime;
Today, we reap and weep black families falling apart;
Today, we reap and weep bigotry, racism and all its evil
Today, we reap lynching knees and hot bullets in our backs.
But also, many moons ago there were those wise Grannies
Who sowed dominant mattering-seeds blooming flowers
Who fruits have become powerful ripen fruits with nourishing
Sweet juices of awareness, determination and liberation;
Let’s get ready freedom farmers; the harvest season is coming;
Let’s get ready freedom farmers; the coming harvest is plentiful;
Let’s show the whole world we are prepared and more than ready;
Let’s show the whole world we are as plentiful as is today’s harvest.