Opportunity Bridge

OPPORTUNITY BRIDGE
by R.D. Snow (Jan 2020)

(1920's jazz poetry)

We were born crawlin' on de
Coal side of de tracks
We were born crawlin' on de
Cold side of de tracks
Burnin' holes in our pockets
Soon's we buyin' a shirt an' some slacks

An' we were born dyin' on de first
Day we walked
We were born dyin' on de first
Day we walked
Now we hearin' 'bout a life to live
Out beyond de docks

Lawd knows our train
Left de station an' it's long gone
Lawd knows our train
Left de station an' it's long long gone
Long long, long long gone
Saw dreams crossin' a river
Without us ridin' along

An' if I had ma own mount'n
I'd build an opportunity bridge
(Woooooo!)
If I had ma own mount'n
I'd build an opportunity bridge
(Woooo wooo-)
Takin' you along
Oh
Takin' you along

Yes, when I had ma own mount'n
I'd build an opportunity bridge
Said when 'had ma own mount'n
I'd build an opportunity bridge
Lawd, I'm bringin' de
Whole world with you an' me
Up an' o'er that ridge

---

R. D. Snow
All Rights Reserved.

Writer’s Comments:

Inspired by Langston Hughes (1902-1967), a literature leader of the Harlem Renaissance and one of the first poets to start a new literary art form in the 1920’s known as jazz poetry. My favorites are Red Roses, Po’ Boy Blues, and Lover’s Return