That New Day (For Gil Scott-Heron)

([cref 3409 Check out the show tonight, 8 Oct 2011, 8:30pm])

Silent on a Harlem Street
Turned my head and chanced to meet the one
Feeling short of words to say
I shook his hand
He walked away
So long

So long to be recreating
Everyday we’re beginning
When do we arrive at that new day?
Or is it here?

I aligned myself with you
Your spirit’s joy your cold hard truths, c’mon
You taught us how to fight the system
Knowledge of our true existence
Then fell to square one

So long to be here creating
Everyday new beginnings
When do we arrive at that new day?
Or is it here?

In times of silence,
Times of quiet,
You have time for introspection
You have time to change
You said, “I believe I’ve changed

“If you stand up and do something
You can really become something
So this is what I do
And so it is

“The smile I see in others faces,
I play a song, plant a thought,
There I see myself”

A gift so strong he couldn’t keep (it).
Passed to us and now we weep
So long

So long to be recreating
Take us to that new beginning
When do we arrive at that new day?
I say it’s here

That new day
That new day
That day is here!

4 October 2011 | © Jason Luckett