Strange Fruit Hanging


Have you ever heard such a voice anguished
Beyond the din of ordinary rage,
With every reason to cry hoarse, "Murder!"
Elocuting sounds of the bittersweet?

She flies on a bird in a gentle breeze
In the still drowsy noonday humdrum
To the tree where she will begin to learn
Of human indifference to fair reason.

In a pendulous drop larger than life,
Made carrion for unconscionable beaks,
From the tall poplar tree hangs a strange fruit
Swinging in a strange sleep as the hands clap.

Bevagna, 15 6 2008

Inspired by the video of Billie Holiday singing "Strange Fruit" on Youtube
Lyrics by Lewis Allen