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Ignite a Fire

Poet: Ken Jordan
Poem: Ignite A Fire
Edited by: Sparkle Jordan
written: September /1985



Let's ignite
a fire -

brothers
and
sisters,

Let's 
ignite a fire -

through
education,

to rise 
above
the
stereotype's,

that says:

We can't 
learn -

We all 
sag 
our pants -

Most 
of us
are unemployed
and
on welfare -

We all
carry guns -

And
they say:

More
of us
are in prison
than 
in college -

They think 
they 
know us,

based 
primarily 
on
skin color -

Let's ignite
a fire,

Let's
do it
with
intelligence,

solidarity,
peace
and
unity -

Then
and
only then,

can  we
ascend
to 
higher heights -

Let's not
allow them
to
douse 
our flames,

through
ignorance,
  
hatred 
and 
racism -

Let's ignite
a fire -

Our 
black smoke
is too
thick 
and strong,

to
succumb 

to
what they
think
of us -

Let's ignite
a fire -

and
watch
our flames
reach beyond
the
universe -

We were 
born
from 
the same
God
as everyone
on earth -

So,
I be damned
if others
have 
the last
word

on 
how far
I can
go -

Through
education
we will
fly!

Higher than
the sky -

Let's ignite
a fire -

And
show
the world

our 
black smoke, 

soaring
beyond the
stars -

Let's ignite
a fire -

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