Don't Condemn...

Harlem (Dream Deferred)

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore—

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over—

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode? 

Langston Hughes

Black Woman

The fullness of my lips 
Curvature of my hips 
Straight down my back 
then dip 
That pretty brown round 
Going down, down 
I am a black woman 
The texture of my hair 
Do I dare go there? 
Relaxed or naturally kinky 
I can’t please society 
Short, long or braided 
Still I am hated 
I am a black woman 
The manner in which I speak 
Out spoken, never meek 
Articulate slang 
How I do my thang 
Label it Ebonics 
yet EVERYONE is on it 
I am a black woman 
My lover my friend 
Stick by me till the end 
Break offs hella propa 
sho nuff a show stoppa 
My struggle you can back 
For you are my man black 
I am a black woman

 

Written by Chanel Vann Tillman

I Cry

Sometimes when I’m alone
I Cry, 
Cause I am on my own.
The tears I cry are bitter and warm.
They flow with life but take no form
I Cry because my heart is torn.
I find it difficult to carry on. 
If I had an ear to confide in, 
I would cry among my treasured friend, 
but who do you know that stops that long, 
to help another carry on.
The world moves fast and it would rather pass by.
Then to stop and see what makes one cry, 
so painful and sad. 
And sometimes…
I Cry 
and no one cares about why.

I Am Woman

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

CHORUS
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

CHORUS

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to I can face anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman
Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong

FADE
I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman

Words and Music by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton

John 14:6

Life