Anthony Ellis, To All My Homies

To all my homies in the housing projects who survived The struggle of both poverty and neglect Who ran for days on hope and energy Who lived through depression, recession, and oppression.

To all my homies, who still kept a smile— No food on their table, no money to be seen— With no dog or cat— Just the old poor man’s dream.

To all my homies, who live to remember The pain of segregation, no voter’s registration, Mis-education by false communication.

To all my homies who have now passed on to meet their maker, Those who fought for freedom of speech, freedom to teach And lasting freedom to claim as free.

To all my homies heaven-bound, missing only their faces around This no-sleep town, hearing their voices from time to time Causing me to reflect on their struggles As I too draw the line.