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5
The great grandson of a slave
Three generations removed Freedom in the grave
Each was 50 when their sons arrived
My grandfather matriculated at Tennessee State University in 1935
He move to Indianapolis to grow and can food
Our history was a mystery I didn’t have a clue
Until my folks found clues glued on microfiche
Pieces of history’s puzzles solved, it started making sense
Fast forward to my past
My brothers and I, sick with chicken pox but we weren’t mad
Our paper route today would be delivered by mom and dad!
Seeing our old folks ride our BMX
Peddling down our street looking for the next (house)
Watching above from a window full of emotion
Trying not to scratch skin covered with calamine lotion
Born in the 70’s and raised in the 80’s
Back when kids were snatching emblems off the hoods of Mercedes
Gangs and drugs where everywhere but so was I
Library, school, sports, church, all an alibi
No time for trouble
In the concrete jungle
Time passed
I played ball and cut grass
Before I knew, my mind and body grew
Made it through high school and graduated
Hampton University was where I relocated
The extra curricular activities in which I participated
Enriched my education and changed my life
I won an election, got a degree, and met my wife
Honored to be a dad balancing life
And several careers blessed with less strife
Been married for nearly 20 years
Motivated in midlife by joys and fears
Challenging myself to write down my thoughts, hopes, and dreams
My journey so far has defined who I am it seems
