There’s blood on the leaves,
Sun’s shining bright.
The struggle’s just ended, but another dreadful journey
Awaits them. The metal around their feet’s clinking, pulling synchronized steps. The chains
Capture their entire bodies, her mind, and his soul.
Left, right, left, right: a boat in the distance ahead.

Now we think we’re ahead,
Above them because of our color. As we gather around celebrating, there’s blood on the leaves.
They mourn, but we like to think they’ve adjusted to life here. Another soul
Gone, hanging from the branches. It was probably her son, his brother. Still bright,
Our morning star has yet to go to bed, fully revealing the heartless chains
We link to our heritage to. We’ve been superior from the start, torturing black on this journey.

But fast forward to the new slaves, to us. The roles have been reversed. It’s been a rough journey
Throughout, but they’ve persevered, and we’ve just been inverted. Ahead
Lies a future of equality. Maybe. For now, chains
Of expensive cars and shiny rings apprehend us. Strange fruit we are, hanging from the leaves
Of department stores, reaching for the branches of money, fame, and power. Bright
Lights, flashing lights pull us in and capture our soul.

They open up their minds to humanity’s soul,
Finally pushing through. It’s now their time to shine. Their free-styling journey
Has taken over. We throw our hands up in the air. Bright
Minds, blaring sirens warn us: it’s their time to go on a spree. Culture, art, and music lie ahead,
Not revenge, retaliation, and oppression. Leaving behind the leaves
Which had been stained with red for so long, they’re breaking the chains

Of history, ripping apart stereotypes, and emerging from the past. These chains,
These shackles that so powerfully synchronized steps, that murdered the music of his soul,
And jailed her freedom of creativity, are now being released. The path is covered with leaves
That get greener and greener as time goes on. The journey
That awaits them will not be easy. Are we forgiven? Only the time ahead
Can tell. Do I see a bright

Light in the distance? That’s between me and these bright
Minds. Will the chains
Of the past be unlinked or will they forever remain a part of the course ahead?
That’s between me and his aching soul,
Between her and they who must continue on their journey.
And as for those leaves?

Those leaves
Will forever remain an important part of their journey,
A constant reminder of our history, and their past, and every, single, lost-to-the-branches, soul.