Billie's Lament
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* For Billie Holiday *
the devil swings
with the pain Billie brings
to the song of a sparrow, once lost
but heaven cries
with the drug in her eyes
and the weep of a willow's sad cost
the awed repute
of a tree's strangest fruit
never gave up its dead or it's moss
one mother's urn
sifted ash from the burn
of a tragedy's southern-most cross
shall only years
dry that muddle of tears
the deluge drowning races and sin
or will the truth
age a sweeter vermouth
let as blood on a much darker skin
a weep collected
for that life disrespected
would fill all Jehovah's dear streams
but not a wonder
heaven's loudest thunder
will never quiet that riot of screams.
(In honor of the Billie Holiday song "Southern Trees Bear Strange Fruit" about lynchings)
Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden | Year Posted 2020
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