October 15, 1987
President Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso
I don’t write much poetry, but every now and then the urge strikes me. In the chaotic historical moment we find ourselves in, it is important we look to the wisdom, power, and sacrifice of our heroes from the past. May we learn from them as we prepare for the struggles to come.
This poem honors the life and sacrifice of the great revolutionary Thomas Sankara. If you would like to read more about his life, I recommend this resource:
-Jacob Dallas-Main
Viva Sankara!
His blood was red.
Ember on death’s door,
Dying flame of wine,
A ruby held in common
Free and Flowing,
His blood was red.
His blood was red.
Blessed blood, People’s blood
Cursed earth, swallow it!
Drink thy fill, dry dirt.
Are you parched even now?
His blood was red.
His blood was red.
Two dozen lead rounds
Pierced our great hope
See his stone face cry
Must all our heroes die?
His blood was red.
His blood was red.
Look upon greed’s rot.
It rips at our flesh.
As it ended his own.
The tyrant’s boot falls.
His blood was red.
His blood was red.
Truly upright land,
Truly upright man.
Stained with damnation,
Lost grip on salvation.
His blood was red.
His blood was red.
Downtrodden, hear me!
Weary worker, see!
The steps he left here,
In land he left green.
His blood was red.
Do not forget him.
Have you forgotten,
How his blood was red?
Power without pride,
Strength without bondage.
His blood was red.
His blood was red.
We will follow him,
He who fell for us.
For the people he loved
Loved so briefly
His blood was red
His blood was red
His blood was red
His blood was red
Shall ours bleed the same?
Shall my blood be red?
Shall my blood be worthy?
Our revolution is not a public-speaking tournament. Our revolution is not a battle of fine phrases. Our revolution is not simply for spouting slogans that are no more than signals used by manipulators trying to use them as catchwords, as codewords, as a foil for their own display. Our revolution is, and should continue to be, the collective effort of revolutionaries to transform reality, to improve the concrete situation of the masses.
-Thomas Sankara
