Walk to the Ballot Box
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said you must vote to have an impact on who receives: Income, Education, Health Care, Housing and Justice. “A vote-less people are a powerless people,” said Dr. King. “The most important step we can take is that short walk.”
If you’re sick of being tired
If you’re really ready for change
Then we gotta walk
Do more than just talk
We gotta get our ballots arranged
You want a bigger piece of the pie
And more than menial wages
If you want higher income
Then you gotta bring some
Ballots to the voting cages
If you really want better schools
You hold the key to the locks
You want higher education
Find a voting station
And walk to that ballot box
If you’re ill but can’t see a doctor
Cause your hospitals are all closed
If you’re lacking health care
Then you’d best beware
Your vote is your only repose
You say you want better housing
And peace in your neighborhood
Then remember your vote
Is the only bank note
That can purchase any good
Finally . . . if you really, truly want justice
Then cash in some bonds and stocks
Make it your pay day
Next Election Day
And walk to the ballot box
And vote for Barack Obama
Poem by Ty Gray-EL. Ty Gray-El is an activist, author and poet born and raised in the nation’s capitol, and can be reached at www.breathofmyancestorsllc.com.
