A child during the Depression
Cast to the side by society
A soloist and musician
Blessed multiplicity

A student of music and education
Prejudice showed an ugly face
She became determination
And marched with grace

A soloist, she stood before crowds elegantly
A teacher with a voice graced the stand
At Second Baptist Church, she’d sing
A soldier molded by a mighty hand

A voice so gentle and sweet, I hear it ring
Scholarship did not cover everything
At the New England Conservatory
Where she met the Rev. Dr. King

A fight for civil rights was not new
Alabama was home to destiny
The impossible became true
I can hear walking feet

A wife in ’53 and mother in ‘55
The Kings lived in danger
The fight was alive
So was anger

A bombed blasted the home
Thank God they were safe
Muses are never alone
Only saved by grace

A partner she was in her pride
A love for her family strong
Her poetry couldn’t hide
She carried each song

A partner at her husband’s side
They traveled to dark places
Passion, she couldn’t hide
Loving all human races

Her husband was taken away in ‘68
Her heart pierced by the sting
The march couldn’t wait
Led by Coretta King

Fifty thousand people through Tennessee
Marched until they opened the door
Justice for all shall someday be


© John D. Evans , 2006 (all rights reserved)