— Leslie Hoffman
Sevenscore years ago
a race of people bled from the whip.
Twoscore and fourteen years ago
they sat at the back of the bus.
Today, a son of Africa
holds highest office in the land.
Yes, we can…
This son of Africa
speaks of our patchwork heritage
while voices from the past
chant, We shall overcome.
Yes, we can…
One generation removed from
the ground Lucy walked
this son of Africa leads
from the house built by slaves.
Yes, we can.