Black August by Marilyn Buck Would you hang on a cliff’s edge sword-sharp, slashing fingers while jackboot screws stomp heels on peeled-flesh bones and laugh “let go! die, damn you, die!” could you hang on 20 years, 30 years? 20 years, 30 years and more brave Black brothers buried in US koncentration kamps they hang on Black light shining in torture chambers Ruchell, Yogi, Sundiata, Sekou, Warren, Chip, Seth, Herman, Jalil, and more and more they resist: Black August Nat Turner insurrection chief executed: Black August Jonathan, George dead in battle’s light: Black August Fred Hampton, Black Panthers, African Brotherhood murdered: Black August Kuwasi Balagoon, Nuh Abdul Quyyam captured warriors dead: Black August Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Ella Baker, Ida B. Wells Queen Mother Moore – their last breaths drawn fighting death: Black August Black August: watchword for Black liberation for human liberation sword to sever the shackles light to lead children of every nation to safety Black August remembrance resist the amerikkan nightmare for life Marilyn Buck wrote this poem for Black August 2000. She was released July 15, 2010, after 25 years as an anti-imperialist political prisoner. Then suddenly, only 19 days later, she was gone. Her comrade and fellow former political prisoner Linda Evans broke the sad news: “Our dear comrade Marilyn Buck made her transition yesterday (Aug. 3, 2010) at 1 p.m. EST peacefully and surrounded by friends.” Sister Marpessa Kupendua wrote: “Former political prisoner Marilyn Buck made her transition. Peace and blessings be upon her revolutionary soul! Let her passing motivate us to be on point for all those denied medical care within the walls. Serious illnesses ARE death sentences! Much respect to her struggle on our collective behalf and all those who loved her so strong in her final days!”
