Left to themseves people
grow their hair.
Left to themselves they
take off their shoes.
Left to themselves they make love
sleep easily
share blankets, dope, & children
they are not lazy or afraid
they plant seeds, they smile, they
speak to one another. The word
coming into its own: touch of love
on the brain, the ear
We return with the sea, the tides
we return as often as leaves, as numerous,
as grass, gentle, insistent, we remember
the way,
our babes toddle barefoot thru the cities of the universe.

Diane di Prima, 1971

(for Huey Newton)

I will not rest
till men walk free & fearless on the earth
each doing in the manner of his blood
& tribe, peaceful in the free air
till all can seek, unhindered
the shape of their thought
no black cloud fear or guilt
between them & the sun, no babies burning
young men locked away, no paper world
to come between flesh & flesh in human encounter
till the young women
come into their own, honored & fearless
birthing strong sons
loving and dancing
till the young men can at last
lost some of their sternness, return
to young men's thoughts, till laughter
bounces off our hills & fills
our plains

Diane di Prima, 1971