I was born in freedom’s graveyard
‘Neath a tombstone where my name scarred
The edifice, stone-cold and bone-hard
Wrapped was I in burning flag.
An empty stomach, angry, held tight
An empty hand to clutch the long night
Another head fixed ‘twixt the gunsight
Just one more toe to tag.

Raised by ashes in dirt and dust
Cutting teeth then flesh on rust
They come to teach me what is just–
The oppressors’ fists to kiss me.
And when I taste their awful wrath
Kicked down that darkly-chosen path
I’ll see it boils down to math–
How many I take with me.

***