INSPIRATION

This song has been with me almost 20 years and inspires me as much now as it did when I first heard it. Washing the floors to send you to college Staying at home so you can feel safe What do you think is the soul of her knowledge What do you think that makes her feel safe Biting her lips and lowering her eyes To make sure there's food on the table What do you think would be her surprise If the world was as willing as she's able Hugging herself in an old kitchen chair She listens to your hurt and you rage What do you think she knows of despair What is the aching of age The fathers, the children, the brothers Turn to her and everybody white turns to her What about her turning around Alone in the everyday light There ought to be a woman can break Down, sit down, break down, sit down Like everybody else call it quits on mondays Blues on Tuesdays, sleep until Sunday Down, sit down, break down, sit down A way outa no way is flesh outa flesh Courage that cries out at night A way outa no way is flesh outa flesh Bravery kept outa sight A way outa no way is too much to ask Too much of a task for any one woman Lyrics: June Jordan Music: Bernice Johnson Reagon