I wrote this poem meditating on Carl B. Hampton’s memorial painting at his 52nd Commemoration on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Listen.
Carl.
A Norse term meaning “free man.”
Sagittarius
fire in the third decan
path of the 33/6
took my first libation from my hand…ancestrally.
Carl.
A freedom fighter for Afrikans
a name meaning “free man…”
the irony.
The irony like sirens
sounding off death
trigger happy on streets they swore to protect
black targets direct
at the behest
of one-sided liberties
and justice for some.
Carl.
A burning sun.
a son of revolution
laid down his life
to rise up a solution
creating a stir of corrupt constitutions
in fear of inevitable retribution.
Carl.
A Norse name meaning “free man.”
died fighting to live
his birthright title
from a structure where Bibles
created rivals
of those blaq, indigenous…Afrikan.
The irony.
The irony of crossroads
in crosshairs
on building tops…
21 years, 5 stories up
Dowling and Dennis his heart was stopped
Dowling turns Emancipation
Houston watched
this building top claim
where forced religions give praise
to Gods that made us slaves
52 years later
we pour libations and remember the name
amist trigger happy authorities
that still think life is a game
just worsening their karma
their very lives the hell to pay
yet all the future days
are OURS.
Panthers prowl.
People’s power.
So we stand proud
Say it loud.
Carl.
A Norse name meaning “free man.”
took my first libation from my hand
laid his life down so we can
be free.
copyright 2022. All rights reserved.
