No Last Words
Francis Newton 1965-2005

Mammy, mistress, millionaire, martyr
What is the death of one more black daughter

Mammy, mistress, millionaire, martyr
What of the hope of one more black daughter

No Appeal, No Stay
No last words for Francis
No time to have her say,
Francis last moments on a gurney
Was there even enough time to pray?

Standing, was her sister in tears
Her hands shielding her worst fears
And over there, the woman who bore her
One more stoic black mama
Witnessing lynching drama

(whispered) We’ve seen this before
Black bodies being relieved!
(whispered) It is nothing new
Of the power they conceive!

No appeal for the poor,
No appeal for the black,
No appeal for the under classes,
Living under governments that have their foot
On the peoples backs

Mammy, mistress, millionaire, martyr
What is the death of one more black daughter

Mammy, mistress, millionaire, martyr
What of the hope of one more black daughter

Outside the blood chambers
The mourners of little choice
Steady now, lift your voices
Form a libation circle, and begin to testify
Prayer band circle style
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Geechie-Angola child
Join in the ring shout
No more denial
No more denial

Blood on your hands
Blood on your face
Disgrace to the human race

You can’t erase a nation
You can’t erase a nation


Anna Limontas-Salisbury
September 15, 2005