The phrase "bitter fruit" at the conclusion of the poem refers to the fact that African Americans were formerly denied property ownership of their farms. That changed with a federal law in 1865 that allowed them to own land they worked, but only if they were able to prove financial responsibility. If they could not show this ability, then the government would assume the debt and take over the property. In the years following the Civil War, many former slaves did manage to acquire small parcels of land which they could call their own. However, as we have seen, this privilege was not given to all African Americans. In fact, it was granted based on race. White landowners often took advantage of this system by selling credit to black farmers who had no way to pay for these goods immediately. If the farmers failed to meet their obligations, they would be forced into bankruptcy and their lands would be seized by their creditors. This is why the phrase "bitter fruit" can be used as a summary of how slavery affected black Americans. It not only deprived them of their freedom, but also of their livelihood. This last part of the poem actually describes what would happen each year on the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States.