Alabama Earth

by Langston Hughes

(At Booker Washington's grave)

Deep in Alabama earth
His buried body lies —
But higher than the singing pines
And taller than the skies
And out of Alabama earth
To all the world there goes
The truth a simple heart has held
And the strength a strong hand knows,
While over Alabama earth
These words are gently spoken:
Serve — and hate will die unborn.
Love — and chains are broken.


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