What They Up There Doing

She ran about in her bare feet

Soaking up the earth

Climbing the trees

Eating fresh berries

Dancing in the rain

And she learned to play

Called upon ancestors

Whose names she knew not

But whose stories flew from her spirit

She was mocked 

Oh, she is one of them

One of his

You know, that strange man 

Who lives on that hill in those woods

Lawd only knows what they up there doing

Find your own voice

It is deep inside you

It is beautiful, he insisted

Her voice was weak

At first

Then it erupted

Like a volcano

It was a beautiful, clear and strong

She was mocked

Oh, she is one of them

One of his

You know, that strange man

Who lives on that hill in those woods

Lawd only knows what they up there doing

I am old

She said

I am ugly and unworthy

She said

I am fat and shallow

She said

He advised her to dance

She danced from her core

Five, six, seven, eight

Dancing to the beat of his drum

Healing her spirit

Leaving her cares on the floor

Hours upon hours upon hours

Talking, resolving, reconciling

Learning the language of love and acceptance

Learning the importance of character and responsibility

She was mocked

Oh she is one of them

One of his

You know, that strange man

Who lives on that hill in those woods

Lawd only knows what they up there doing

You hate him, he betrayed you

Resolve it

You hate her, she hurt you

Resolve it

You hate them, they envy you

Resolve it

You hate you, you’ve disappointed yourself

Resolve it

Forgive for the sake of your own peace

She decided to understand

She was mocked

Oh, she is one of them

One of his

You know, that strange man

Who lives on that hill in those woods

Lawd only knows what they up there doing

They were up there living

They were up there loving

They were up there learning how to be

They were up there being free

They were up there healing

They were up there watering roots

They were up there growing trees and fruit

They were up there studying

They were up there working

On that hill in those woods

With that strange man

They are the sixteen

She is one of them

They are his

They will always celebrate and honor their King