torture

BY ALICE WALKER

WHEN THEY TORTURE YOUR MOTHER
PLANT A TREE
WHEN THEY TORTURE YOUR FATHER
PLANT A TREE
WHEN THEY TORTURE YOUR BROTHER
AND YOUR SISTER
PLANT A TREE
WHEN THEY ASSASSINATE
YOUR LEADERS
AND LOVERS
PLANT A TREE
WHEN THEY TORTURE YOU
TOO BAD
TO TALK
PLANT A TREE.

WHEN THEY BEGIN TO TORTURE
THE TREES
AND CUT DOWN THE FOREST
THEY HAVE MADE
START ANOTHER.

by SHANI EVANS

IF YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER WHO YOU LOVE ARE EVER TAKEN
CRY A LITTLE
IF YOUR SISTERS WHO YOU LOVE ARE EVER TAKEN
CRY A LITTLE
IF YOUR BROTHERS WHO YOU LOVE ARE EVER TAKEN CRY A LITTLE
IF THE LIVES ARE TAKEN FROM
YOUR CHILDREN
AND FRIENDS
CRY A LITTLE
IF YOUR SANITY
AND DIGNITY
ARE TAKEN
CRY A LITTLE.

WHEN THE TEARS BEGIN TO DEVOUR
YOUR HEART
AND DROWNS THE INTERNAL SOUL
THEY HELPED FORM
STOP ANOTHER