My Feet are Killing Me

JOHN I. CLARKE

https://youtu.be/sf8bkP-qtT8

(The Montgomery bus boycott of 1955 – 56 took place after Rosa Parks was arrested following her refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger.)

Some folks try to change the world
by marching armies overland
by taking elephants across the alps
and building navies for all to see.

Rosa Parks sat down and said
“My feet are killing me.”

Some folks try to change the world
by parading on a pedestal
by saluting soldiers with their fluttering flags
and ranting and raving hysterically.

Rosa Parks sat down and said
“My feet are killing me.”

Some folks try to change the world
by poisoning your mind
by spreading words of hate
and making victims flee.

Rosa Parks sat down and said
“My feet are killing me.”

Sticks and stones
vilification
vile abuse
they were no use.
Why didn’t they let her be?
Rosa Parks sighed and said
“My feet are killing me.”

Italiano

Rosa Parks, February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005, civil rights activist.