To Children of a People On the Rise

Poem by Greg Powell is To Children of a People on the Rise

To Children of a People On the Rise

As read for the Black History Month Program for Seniors on the Move,
a ministry of New Faith Baptist Church, International

1980 Panther people on the rise
1990 Panther people on the rise
Year 2000’s Panther people on the rise
Energize our minds/ we ride the skies

In the 2020 the times is dark
Corrupt eruption got the nation stark
Flood of fire coming but we the ark
I’m the big Dog who got the bite and the bark
That orates and translates proverbs to grow on
Got on-high rhymes got grind to flow on
Hot fun in sun give strength to hold on
Got saxophone flow for radical jazz to blow on

1980’s birth of the boom and the bap
Rap graffiti art the clash and new jack
Break dancers/ DJ’s spin new levels of Black
As slingers choke on blood cash they stack
Fed by government injections of crack
But Black people rise on ancestors’ backs
Forward on attack making Panther tracks
Ancient to future children got backpacks of facts

1980 Panther people on the rise
1990 Panther people on the rise
Year 2000 Panther people on the rise
Energize our minds/ we ride the skies

1990’s BIGs and Pac rocked the spots
Charismatic flow that got negros shocked
Revolutionary potential got blocked
In stupid hail of gun shots
They got fame and wealth
But if you got to die the death
Don’t be a martyr to yourself
And now we traveling through space and time
In Black power dimensions to refine our minds
Genius children to thine own self be kind
Press forward/ be greater/ leave haters behind
I’m a preacher now I’m gonna preach
Bread of life/ eat the feast and increase

Don’t let the darkness decrease your glow
Don’t let fear stifle your flow
Let Afrofuturistic roots grow
Don’t be lame to the system, no
Shame in your game strive to win free from sin
Peace within/ grow your soul in powers of ten
Mathematical protractions give mental satisfactions
Education actions bring cash transactions and I close
With lyrical ritual abstractions: poetics to flame rain
Inflict pain on wicked insane/ inflame their membranes
Sustain heaven fire on liar’s pyres until they expire
My ire is a live wire ‘cause times are dire so let’s conspire
Inspire each other to aspire higher,

Levels than devils. I a soul rebel who revels
Serving you indelible edible lyrical pebbles,
Relevant elegant as your crown/ incredible,
I’m a rebel so I rebel
from systems of hell
And preach you out cell with prophetic do tell
Drop the scientific designed refined specific to lift
Us out the horrific with beautific lyrical rituals
I a sanctified shaman wearing raiment of praise
Committed to you children to raise
Out racist delusional polluted toxic haze
Take Jah love power to claim future days
Jah guide lead you through corrupt maze
Ancient Kemetic sun’s melanin glaze
Eye on the prize in destiny gaze
Go get your life/ claim spiritual health
Be rebel in disguise/ your power in stealth
You are the people bringing life from death
Pursue your purpose with every blessed breath

1980 Panther people on the rise
1990 Panther people on the rise
Year 2000 Panther people on the rise
Forever Panther people on the rise
Energize our minds/ we ride the skies

If you enjoyed this poem, you're going to love 'Unchained Generation.'