I is somebody

CATEGORY

life

I is somebody

Although I may not do right all the time

The times I do right still count 

I ain’t neva had much

Can’t count the times I had to go without 

But don’t think I’m round here complainin

Don’t got time to do that 

You see I work

These calluses on my hands are all the proof I need 

And even though at times I want to quit

Somethin inside me just won’t

Because as long as that there ground is above me 

I still got time to be somebody 

Because…

Somebody’s body is achin

Somebody’s body is tired 

Somebody’s hands are worn 

Somebody’s feet are sore

Somebody’s eyes are closed

Somebody’s voice is singin an ole gospel song 

Somebody is prayin for somebody

Sunday has not yet arrived, 

Yet hymns can be heard from beyond the walls of this ole home

Scriptures and never endin stories of joy and also pain hang like wallpaper throughout this entire place

This is why you are not able to hear all that sorrow that is resonatin from beneath the ground

Instead you feel so comfortable, you decide to slump on down into that ole couch 

While you listen to these ole hymns that are comin from beyond the walls of this ole home

The world may be chaotic but in this home

There is peace, joy welcomes you inside 

And embraces you and tells you that it’s alright now

As you welcome the scent of black-eyed peas and cornbread into your soul

Blockin out the sound of ole worn out slippers against these ole wooden floors 

While attempting to recreate the days when every inch of this ole house was filled with joy, laughter and praise 

These where the days where mama and them would open up the windows and invite the Lord right into the family home

These were the times when prayer cured the untreatable because mama knew that it didn’t matter what any doctor said

She knew the Lord had the final say and as long as you were still breathin 

He was still workin  

These were the times when you didn’t go into the house until those there street lights were clockin into work

And the only way you were not goin to get in trouble is if you were inside before they turned on

These were the times when all the family came down and popped open the grill and threw on some music and partied all night long

These were the times when a community was really a community 

And although times where hard 

Somethin inside me just wouldn’t quit

I told myself that one day I was goin to be somebody

Or maybe I will be that ole blind man sittin on a stump, singin an ole gospel song

Or the wonderin minister who is just tryin to spread the word

Maybe I’ll be somebody great, and get to wear one of them fancy suits

Maybe I’ll just be a forgotten memory 

And disappear like yesterday 

All I know is

I is somebody 

Who is standing above this here ground…and not lyin beneath it