old house big shadows small names stitched into curtains some people born holding keys some born building the doors charleston heat on a painted porch rail silk dress dinner while the back rooms pale one child taught how to curtsy and smile one child sold before reaching a mile same moon hanging over both beds same bible verses filling both heads funny how freedom get preached so loud while chains move quiet underneath the crowd tea cups clink while the floorboards cry truth stay buried where the rich folks dine we were born with wings but the world tied stones fear built kingdoms outta broken homes still we rise through the smoke and flames freedom whisper soft then scream our names (RISE) (rise) she learned letters like forbidden fire every word climbed higher and higher pages hidden underneath the floor knowledge became a loaded drawer outside streets full of preacher talk inside halls where the servants walk big men praying with polished shoes same hands tightening someone’s noose dark joke they toast liberty wine while buying and selling human time they said “wait your turn” history said “watch it burn” they said “peace takes time” hard to hear peace through auction cries one voice tremble then another stand quiet rebellion spread hand to hand needle and thread books and pain sometimes revolutions whisper before they bang years rolled hard like a rusted wheel hope stayed hidden but stubbornly real every scar became part of the map every setback sharpened the path she looked up past the fear and smoke found strength inside the ones called broke cause power ain’t crowns or marble halls sometimes power just refusing the walls and freedom strange it don’t arrive clean it crawls through blood through faith unseen we were born with wings even bruised and bent souls stay flying where the chains got sent through the dark through the flood and flames freedom started quiet now we scream the names RISE (RISE) old house still standing ghosts still watching but the lock broke open
