10/09/2025
Woke up and knew
this very morning
all these Black hands
born me
bore me up and out
encouraged me
taught me
let me write poems for my book reports
taught me to Stand whenever we sing “Lift Every Voice…”
held me
walked me
walked with me
healed me
let me cry
pulled my coat
opened church, college, corporate, airplane, and home doors
closed the windows during thunderstorms
protected my spirit
picked me up
tied my shoes
taught me how to tie my shoes
pushed me forward
taught me how to hold babies so they don’t cry
made me speak to elders
made me speak to Ancestors
Said
Woke up and knew
this new morning
all these Black mouths
told me don’t be nobody’s fool
told me count my blessings
told me keep my head up (to the sky)
told me belong where you at
told me sit up stand up for yourself
told me make something of yourself
told me we expect great things from you
sang me in the kitchen over okra & greens & rice & cornbread & applesauce
sang me in the kitchen over okra & greens & rice & cornbread & applesauce (hallelujah)
put in good words for me
told me put in good words for someone else
called me brother
called me uncle
called me big brother
called me phrat
protected my spirit
laughed with me
laughed at my cornyassed jokes
called me up on the midnight phone
told me I have more to live for
than to die.