Big Mama is Family
Big Mama was much more than a slave
She was born of African descent
Because she was stolen away
I’ll likely never know my African kin
To be black in America is a struggle
For everyone wants you to believe
That remembering Big Mama is trouble
That you should get over it let it be
Big Mama is my ancestor who I love
Despite what history books ignore
Her photo is black and white untouched
In my family it is a treasure stored
I can not call her by her name
That too is a cranberry crime
But her strength is like red flame
That ignited and united family line
I notice her long flowing dress
Imagine it took hours to press
We still have her iron who’d guess
The hands that touched it were blessed
She doesn’t smile in the photo
As was custom of her day
But from above she smiles I know
For she lived and made a way
For me to see her in her life
Standing there by a huge tree
A matriarch a queen with pride
Who had to die to finally be free.
So Big Mama with brown eyes
Our family will honor you eternally
May your soul stay free and rise
May we one day meet as family
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