The Day that Black History Met American History
By APOOO • Jan 22nd, 2009 • Category: Motivational Monday •
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The Day that Black History Met American History
(My inaugural poem)
by K. Kimbrough*
On a cold January day
12:05 to be exact
There was a meeting
Where a seated old Abe looked down
And a tall standing Washington cast his shadow
Before a mall
and its historic waters
The meeting
Of the Fore Runner
And the After Thought
The fullness of the contents of our past
The rattles of the sparse few
The chill in the air carrying the sound
Of anticipation
As the shoulders of traditions
Meet the shoulders of hope
As the legs of Thomas Jefferson
Move toward the legs of Nat Turner
As the arms of the Daughters of the Revolution
Embrace the neck of Sojourner Truth
A meeting never considered by our country’s fore father
And never expected by those who built it
A meeting many tried to
halt
with chains, dogs, and nooses
A meeting Dreamed
in the same mall
among its historic waters
Can you see the millions there to witness?
Can you see the hand of oppression extend to that of the oppressed?
The historic pull of equality of thoughts, heritage, and ideals
Not better but different
Shared bible and sentiment
A grip suspended in time
Every two eyes see and witness
Red of the Blood
Blue of the waters
And the White—for the people?
No more
Now
for peace and unity
Can you see this meeting?
One
so many thought
“Never in my lifetime”
And now so many will
Never Know
of a time when it was never
Yes!
At 12:05
A great meeting took place
On the platform where many stood
On the backs of many who are buried
And in the lives
Of those who will live to tell the story
So help me GOD!
*From a friend who was moved to put pen to paper like many who write as a result of passion. She shared it with APOOO BookClub members and I was so moved that I felt compared to share it with you.
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Beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
angelia
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Wonderful! Thanks.
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This sounds better than the one that was recited at the inaugural to me.
Shelia´s last blog post..At Last
this i truly a blessing, thanks for letting us enjoy it
[...] The Day that Black History Met American History [...]
Thanks for publishing this wonderful poem by our sister Kotanya. Truly blessed and talented.
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