Harlem

I can't help but to reflect on the Harlem i once knew
The Life, The People, The streets that I grew
The History, The Essence, of a people so strong
Breeding dreams and ambition
Where did we go wrong?
From Zora, Malcolm, Duke Ellington and Horne,
Generations of progress and soldiers were born
A place of unity, education and love
Villages raising our children, eyes focused above
The beauty of Black, the beauty of self
Identities captured, abundance and wealth
The Harlem Renaissance, music, dancing and poetry
The Civil Rights Movement, the militant energy
A people so strong, too beautiful to fade
Will take all your lemons and make lemonade
A people who overcome, again and again
Without even trying, triumphantly win
Black People, Righteous People
considered second class
Ironically without us, this system wouldn't last
Our schools, our homes
our communities displaced
Not because of the economy, but because of our race
Our brothers and sisters, put out on the street
Our mothers, our fathers, our children can't eat
there's no where to sleep
no one listening to speak
Politicians in suits, formally wearing white sheets
We're the ones that they cheat
and now Harlem is gone
They move in, move us out
Raise the rent and So Long!
The land we made rich
We made Harlem what it is
A beautiful place that raised us and our kids
A haven, a luxury to walk down its streets
History and limitless stories absorbed by the concrete

In every brick, on every corner
My HArlem, My Home
A place where I belonged
A place all my own
I'll miss you sweet Harlem
Thank you for all of your lessons
For collecting my tears and pouring out all your blessings
They'll never understand you and appreciate your worth
No matter where I go
You'll always come first......

-Rebecca Hall