POEM: A FINE
EXAMPLE (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
(Appreciation from daughter to mother)
…and
what a fine example it is
you showed me
how mothers are supposed to relate to their kids
teaching me, by
example, how to handle everything
from
questionable grades
to hard lessons
about how to lie in the bed I’ve made
and I’m a
better mother…
because of the
example that you set for me
and even when
you were forced to discipline
you somehow
managed to do it lovingly
I’m blessed,
Mom
because so many
don’t get to study…
at the feet of
the masters
You were not
only my Goddess,
you ARE
indisputable evidence of God…
creating
miracles when times were tough
and teaching me
the value of wise choices
to avoid future
disasters
while most kids
were trying to rebel against their parent’s lessons
I was trying to
emulate you in every way
and no one else
has ever left me with…
more remarkable
impressions
I strive to be
as beautiful a mother as you are,
as spectacular
a woman as you will always be
thank you…for
molding me into who I am
and if my child
is ever thankful for my existence
it is only
because I had such a fine example to follow…
and I hope
every aspect of the good in you is reflected in…me.
POEM: THE COOLEST
MOM (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: Appreciation from daughter to mother
As a child, I
tried not to defy you
as an adult, if
my friends clowned me about how we hang
it wouldn’t
matter, ‘cause…
I would never
deny you
but my friends
all know and adore you
so they would
never say anything like that
because for all
of the “fly” that they think they possess
they know, my
moms can gie it right back
thank you, for
bridging the generation gap
to establish
the bond we share
and using that
same bond to keep me on the right track
because there’s
just something about having a mother
who feels like
my “homegirl”
but still knows
how to GET the respect you’re due
so you won’t
have to take me out of this world!
After all, if
was you who brought me in
so I recognize
you have the power to take me out
but the
beautiful thing is,
we never go
through the mother-daughter “drama”
I hear the rest
of my friends complaining about
and I wish I
could take credit for that
but I know
better, ‘cause “Mama ain’t raise no fool!”
you have
redefined the definition of motherhood
with your
unique brand of friendship parenting
I just wish I
knew what I did…
to deserve a
mother this undeniably cool.
POEM: A WINNING
HAND (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: Appreciation from wife to husband (family)
Yes, I’ve been
dealt a winning hand
and I
comprehend the plan
at least the
plan that works perfectly for me
a “full house”
in this poker game of life
is the same as
you and your family
the deck
couldn’t be complete without the King and Queen
and now, the
kids are like all of the high cards
that fall in
between
and it’s not
just on this day
that I look
back fondly on our beginning
I celebrate you
every day, thankful for the hand I’ve been dealt
because each
day spent together, is a day spent winning
I watch singles
always “shuffling” their “deck”
only to wind up
playing solitaire in solitude
so, I’ve always
tried to know when to hold ‘em,
know when to
fold ‘em…and yet
I never had to
“bluff” my way through loving you
you made me
feel safe about laying all my cards on the table
and it felt
right revealing my hand
because the
honesty we share is what keeps this love stable
I want to be in
this game with you for as long as God says we can
and I’m blessed
to have partnered with you
because every
day that we’re together,
I feel like
life has dealt me a winning hand!
POEM: DIFFERENT
STYLES, SAME RESPECT (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
(Description: appreciation from son to father)
There’s no way
to get around it, Dad
your style has
always puzzled me
and mine has
probably made you mad
we’re just
different
but the thing
that has always amplified my respect
is how you
allowed me to just “do me”
and even when
you didn’t understand the direction I was heading in
I never felt
like you were restricting or judging me
positioned in
manhood now,
I am stronger
because of my many mistakes
I am wiser with
my decisions today
because of
every one that you allowed me to make
you’re more
“suit and tie”
I’m more “T
shirt and casual kicks”
you’ll always
prefer fine dining
and I’ll
probably always want to go wherever I can
SUPERsize it!
Your approach
will always be more conventional
and mine will
always be on some…
“let’s break
all the rules” type perspective
and even in
letting me venture out into the unknown
you always
managed to make me feel protected
that’s what’s
cool about you, Dad
and I may
always shake my head wondering why you…
prefer dress
shirts and tie fitted around your neck
with you
wondering if I just HAVE TO wear my pants that way
but I’m taking
in the all of the lessons you’re teaching
and even with
our different styles…it has always been the same respect.
POEM: ALWAYS YOUR
LITTLE GIRL (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
(Description: Appreciation from daughter to mother)
I will always
be your little girl
I’ll still
retain the li’l bit of brat in me…
that thinks I
should be the center of your world
mainly because…
you have always
been the center of mine
and feeling
nurtured, guided and unconditionally loved
is something
that will never change with time
because my eyes
still light up when I see you
and if I’m not
as “grown” as I think
whenever I do
grow up…I still wanna be you
I will never
get too old to find my peace in your hug
and I will
never allow anything or anyone
to alter the
strength of our love
I’ll never be
too proud to ask your opinion
when I’m lost
and unable to find my way
and I will
never be too big or too busy
to call you
just to talk about your day
Everything good
in me
is directly
attributable…
to having
always received the best from you
so you see,
Mom, there’s not enough mango seasons
I can pass
through, to make me believe
that I’m too
much woman…to give you the respect you’re due
even though I’m
all grown up now
I’m glad you
still think of me as your “little girl”
forgive me for
only having this card to give you today
because your
“baby” would much rather give you…the world.
POEM:
FOR ME (Verse Designer: Kenneth Harris, Jr.)
(Description: appreciation of mother from child)
For
me…you were everything and everyone…you were the force that rose the
sun…you were the creator manifest…if Ali was the greatest, you were
the best!...and when you gave me the stare I had better not test…and I
had better say “please” at the end of every request…and I had better
get hoppin’ if you told me to clean up
that mess.
For me…you
provided and you chided…you were the rock on which I leaned…you
guided…and all the while it seemed…that I could never repay…you…for
what you do…everyday…to…give love away…to…a child who…has little more
than “I Love You”…to say…and by the way…the years have been good
to…you…and in every way…you…are the sophisticated…highly
underrated…never duplicated…100% real, not fabricated…no matter how
high the praise, never exaggerated…mother.
That is what
you are…for me.
POEM: GOLDEN LOVE
(Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
(Description: Appreciation of husband from wife – for elder
couples)
Father…Love…Daddy…Friend
from the time
we first became a couple…until the end
I have always
recognized you as the “provider”
the great love
of my life
nothing has
made me more proud than becoming your wife
and, my dear,
you have made it such a wonderful life
you are the
peace of listening to B.B. King strum
while watching
people pass by our porch
you are the
handsome Billy Dee Williams WISHED he possessed
and it has
always been for you
that I carry an
eternally burning torch
we continue to
love as the years progress
and the graying
of your hair is a badge of honor
for life, love
and experience…having little to do with stress
I must tell
you, watching you transition from father to…
Granddad
has given me
the greatest joy
I could ever
hope to have had
in my heart you
are celebrated every second
not just on
this one
and there’s not
enough space on the calendar
to express my
appreciation for all that you’ve done
in our family,
you are our Muddy Waters melody
our Sarah
Vaughn song
I never
expected to receive
a man who would
be such a wonderful husband,
father and
grandfather
you have helped
keep our family bond strong
your life is
anointed and I’m blessed to be in it
I’m voicing it
now, but I feel it every second
and if I had it
to do all over again…I would only want to do this life with you
and I wouldn’t
change one minute.
POEM: GRANDPA, MY SMILE
BELONGS TO YOU (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation from granddaughter to grandfather
...belongs to
you
always will
because you do
the “Grandpa” thing so perfectly
that it seems
like a learned skill
and if it was,
you’d have your Associates,
your Bachelors
and your
Masters!
Magna Cum Laude
you would easily be
having
graduated at the top of your class
with a
Granddaddy Ph.D
but my smile
would be yours
even if you had
flunked every class
because some
things can’t be taught or measured
like how you’ve
been my perfect support system
no matter how
much time has passed
Grandpa, just
thinking about you makes me smile
I love
everything about you
your sense of
humor, what you stand for
your
perspective on life
and especially
your unique style
I bet Bill
Cosby researched you
when it was
time to script the perfect father for his show
and I am so
lucky to have you in my life
fully realizing
that, having the best Grandfather in the world
is a pleasure
some kids will never know
I love you and
I want you to know that…
although I may
not always express it,
I appreciate
every little thing you do
and no matter
how many people I may share a laugh with,
Grandpa, my
smile will always belong to you!
POEM: I DIDN’T
THINK… (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: Appreciation from wife/mate to husband/father of
their child
I didn’t think…
that it was
possible to love you
any more than I
already do
but every time
I watch you doing your “daddy thing”
it happens all
over again…
I fall right
back in love with you
I didn’t think…
that I could
find you any more handsome
than I’ve
always known you to be
but, I swear,
it’s like you
get finer by the second
whenever I
think about
your dedication
to our family
I didn’t
think…
that your smile
could make me
feel any more wonderful
than it already
has
but I’m once
again proven wrong
each time you
make our child laugh
I really didn’t
think…
that there was
any way
for you to be
more wonderful
I’m telling
you! I really didn’t think you could find a way
but watching
you do your “daddy thing”
makes me
realize I am wrong…
so I’m
gonna stop thinking…and start talking
“Thank you for
being the man that you are!”
POEM: LOVE IN
FLIGHT (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description:
appreciation from daughter to father
…EVEN
“FLY”
and just riding
piggyback on your shoulders
seemed to put
me right next to the sky
you made me
believe in the possibility of all things
and when you
have a strong parent supporting your dreams
you can’t
imagine the kind of peace that brings
you are the
reason my self esteem has never led me to doubt that I am
worthy
and whether I
was laughing, crying or just “kickin’ it”
with you
I knew that you
weren’t just listening…you really heard me
and it’s
because of you, Dad
that I feel
like even the sky isn’t the limit
I perched on
your shoulders and knew you wouldn’t let me fall
with you
lifting me up, my fingers could even skim it
thank you for
providing those shoulders
that allowed me
a bird’s eye perspective of life’s possibilities
I just want you
to know, you never had to pick me up for me to fly
I’ve lived my
life soaring among the clouds
because I’m
lucky enough to have you for a daddy.
POEM: MY MOTHER’S
HUG (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation from daughter to mother
The only thing…
that could ever
compare to my mother’s hug
has only ever
been…my mother’s love
but her hug has
always been a direct reflection
of what is held
in her heart
and just like
her love,
I can feel my
mother’s hug
spanning the
distance, even when we’re apart
you see, my
mother’s hug…
is as smooth as
Luther’s croon
my mother’s
hug…
is the very
force that illuminates the moon
my mother’s hug
is Aretha’s perfectly sung note
and my mother’s
hug
is every verse
that Nikki Giovanni ever wrote
it is the
elixir
it is the
miracle cure
it is the
benediction and the blessing
it is spring
water for my soul…because it’s that pure
and if you ever
want to know
a little of the
peace to be found in “love
I may allow her
to bestow it upon you.
but only once,
and only for a minute
because I claim
it, I praise it, it is mine to cherish
it is…my
mother’s hug
POEM: QUEEN MOTHER
(Verse Designer: Kenneth Harris, Jr.)
Description: appreciation of a mother
In the
tradition of Ma’at
you have been
the foundation…
you have given
us all you’ve got
you give the
love that builds nations…
you have shown
me the strength of love…
when the psalms
were written,
you are who
they were speaking of…
I love you with
all of my heart
you are the
glue that holds together the parts.
You are the
regal presence of Makeda…
you fight for
your honor like Yaa
Asantewa
you came from
the same Lord that made her…
you are what
the so called strong women are really talking about
you embrace the
values of antiquity
you face hate
and teach unity
one can smell
history in your aura
the aura…the
presence
the evidence of
the love that came before her
with humble
repentance,
is taken with
care by your hand
you nurture the
seed of all man…
I thank you for
touching me…
you have shown
me how Godly a matriarch can be…
and all can
see…that what I mean
in all you have
presented me, that I have seen…
mother…love…you
are the Queen.
POEM:
SOUL SONG (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation card from daughter to a mother who
always “sang” around the house
Sometimes
my soul needs your song, Mother
…when I was
small, your lilting strain of Rock-A-Bye Baby
and now, your
rendition of the latest Beyonce’ offering
it doesn’t
matter what you’re doing, what key you’re in…
my soul has
always been soothed when you sing
a mother’s song
is any song you have ever graced with your voice
since I was a
little girl, even if I wanted to be upset or angry
one note from
you and a touch…I was left with no choice
it was time to
smile
you could
shower me with praise, kisses and hugs every second
yet, all the
while…
I would long
for those moments…
when your focus
was on everything and nothing
when you would
gaze dreamily while tending to something
subconsciously
reflecting on life and begin to…
sing
every note,
every lyric, every nuance of the melodies
is my “soul
song”, the one I want replayed over and over again
you are my R&B
superstar
my pop queen
and jazz Diva
I keep loving
you in heavy rotation…and you’ve never left my top ten
you never
needed to be American to be my idol
my vote is
locked by the love you’ve given me all of my days
and if I needed
to tally every time you’ve been there for me
through my
laughter, my tears, my heartaches
I couldn’t even
begin to count the ways
every ounce of
love you possess resounds in the voice that rings true
you have always
been my Aretha, my Lauryn Hill, my Mary J.
Blige
my…soul song
and it’s when
you think no-one’s listening and gift your soft singing to the
atmosphere…
that I realize
how much I love you.
POEM: TALK OF THE
TOWN (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation card to family man/father
Living in days
when everybody says
”Black men
ain’t gonna stick around”
you made their
words seem like rhetoric
and that made
you the “talk of the town”
watching the
envy in other kid’s eyes
while they
wondered what a “real family” was like
always caught
me by surprise
‘cause I just
grew up assuming
everyone had a
father like you
then I got
older, and realized, more often that not…
this is untrue
so, all eyes
were on us
as they watched
us interact
to see how a
real Daddy gets down
you were a
virtual anomaly in the neighborhood
I’m glad
“dysfunctional” was a phrase I learned through T.V.
and not life
experience…
because you
kept our family life sound
I know now, it
may not have always been easy
and lesser men
would have run from their responsibilities
I’m so glad
that wasn’t an option for you, believe me
not because I
would have worried
about what
people would say, if the day ever came…
that you
wouldn’t be around
nah…
it’s because
you are as necessary to my life as oxygen
and the love I
have for you
would be the
same, even if you weren’t the…”talk of the town”.
POEM: TEEN YEARS
(Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation card from daughter to parent(s) for putting
up with her through her “teen years”
I wanna
sincerely thank you…
for putting up
with me during my teen years
you know, those
“in between years”
when I volleyed
between the arrogance of independence
and the “I
can’t do this on my own” fears
looking back at
the things I put you through
I don’t know
how you did it
but I’m
thankful that you always did…
whatever you
had to do…
to guide me,
and at the same time
allow me to
learn from my own mistakes
‘cause I
finally understand what all of your lectures meant
and I’m glad
you never gave up on me
for all of our
sakes!
How did you do
it?
How did you
deal with me during my teen years?
you know, those
“in between” years
when my
favorite saying was…
“YOU JUST DON’T
UNDERSTAND!!”
only to find
out, years later, that you actually did
and that you
always had a plan
I appreciate
you now, more than ever
and I
understand I’m much more fortunate than many of my peers
because I may
not have understood the discipline…
but now I
definitely understand the love
and I became
who I am today…
because you
guided me through those crazy teen years!
POEM: TIME TAKEN
(Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation card for grandmother from
granddaughter
It’s definitely
because of the time taken
definitely, it
is because of you…
taking the time
when I was small
to play silly
little games with me
when no one
else had the time
it is because
you clapped your hands
in joyous mock
surprise
whenever I told
you I found a penny, or a dime
that has got to
be the reason…
the time
taken…that’s gotta be it, wouldn’t you say?
it must be
because you took the time with me on any given day
from childhood
to adulthood
you were
nourishment for my soul
helping me surf
through the channels of life
and even when
you weren’t right in my sight
the respect I
have for you was on remote control
you were better
than hours spent in front of a T.V.
because the
television couldn’t play patty cake
and it
certainly couldn’t listen to me
so it must be
that, right? the time taken
specifically,
the time you would always take with me
the way I
wanted to make you proud
from pre-school “happy face” stickers
to high school
“A’s”
because my
happiness seemed to be connected to your spirituality
time taken can
never be assigned a value
and that’s why
I’m taking the time to tell you
you are the
perfect Grandmother and I love you!
POEM:
POPS (Verse Designer: Kenneth Harris, Jr.)
Description:
appreciation card to father
(can be unisex, but leans more toward the
masculine)
To
quote famous verse…would not only be disingenuous but would make me
terse…and give me inclination to curse…because what I wish to say…in
my special way…could only come from me…because you are my pops you
see…that is why I dedicate these words to you from me…
The way you
taught me…has greater value than what you bought me…and for all I
need…you often take me aside and plant the seed…when I seem to have no
idea what you are saying…when the going gets rough and tough…I draw on
your seeds of wisdom without delaying…then I understand…I realized
that helping me grow is how you had it planned…and by popular demand…I
can be wise…I can draw from your strength, no surprise…and quote you
and open other people’s eyes…and sit back to reflect on how you
brought me from small fry…to super sized!
and when the
hind parts needed fire…you gave it what it required…but you taught in
all you did…you got right at my questions, never hid…and when things
got tight you were there…when things got right you were there…when I
felt fright at night, you were there…when I succeeded, you were
there…to remove the mind clutter so I may proceed unimpeded, you were
there…you were the man we needed, you were there…and I can have pride
in my stride…because if I had questions that I could only keep
inside…I could see it…because you were there…I am who I am because of
you…and for that, I can proudly say “because of you…Pops…I love
you…because you are YOU.
POEM: VISION
(Verse Designer: Kenneth Harris, Jr.)
Description: appreciation card from man to the mother of his
daughter
VISION
When
visual stimulus hits my heart…when the love for woman and child is
forced to start…and the better part…of me…exists in the hearts of
we…and she…came to me…after you came to me…and I am all man, but
softer inside than I would claim to be…loving her or you is the same
to me.
Seeing her makes me wish…that I could have been your goldfish…when you
had one in your room…so that I may consume…even blurred vision of
you…put me near the nightlight so that I can see the peace that would
make me love you…then we make the same room for mini-she…so much so
that my mini love for her grows in large quantities inside the many
part of me…and that we…can see…that grown manifestation of all that
holds the key…all that holds why we…will be the strength such that we
want, need and have to be.
When I hear you speak to her…it is as though avoiding being meek to
her…with the lessons I know you tell…oh so well…and to see her
personality gel…makes my tear well…and eyes swell…and if I cry before
you finish reading…it is because my heart, full of love, is
bleeding…and I am in touch with my inner being…I am feeling what the
parents of civilization wishes we all could have been seeing…and she
is your little piece of art…and when I add my part…man, don’t make me
start…beaming as a dad would…and with all the pride that a dad
could…and seeing all that every dad should…and we both know
that…it…is…all…good!
POEM: STEP OUT
(Verse Designer: Kenneth Harris, Jr.)
Description: appreciation for “stepfather” from stepson
Dad…it is who
you have been to me…you have been there from
the first words to the first time the devil sent sin through me…I
love you with all my heart…because you have been family to me from the
start…and if you were to open your eyes to it…you would see limits
only capped by the heavens as to how I admire the way you do it.
You are the
“Dad” I love…you are the dad I put no one above…you are the dad that
makes me glad…that I have had the privilege to have had…and although
we are not blood…if you are the rose, I am your bud…I am your seed by
extension…and did I mention…the way you love mom is the bomb!...and
the way you have been on point…I would like to anoint….that if we are
separated by biology…then we are bound by psychology…because when I
speak of “Dad” it is you…and when I tell everybody that I love my
“Dad”, it is you…when all this may have entered my thoughts and crept
out…I only wish that by all means, you were in fact my Dad, and we
could just take the “Step” out.
POEM: MY GRANDPA
(Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation for grandfather from “small”
grandchild(ren)
I love my
Grandpa
and my Grandpa
just loves him some me!
and I know that
won’t change
whether I’m
three weeks old,
or one hundred
and three
and as long as
you promise
you knee
belongs to me
I will bounce
on it
until my
attention turns to other things
but I’m still
gonna want to
have you tell
me stories
either from a
book
or from the
life you’ve lived
and I promise
that I’ll always have a kiss for you
just like I’ll
always happily take…
any candy treat
you have to give
‘cause I love
my Grandpa!
and I know my
Grandpa just loves him some me
nothing about
that will ever change
it’ll be the
same today
and it will
when I’m one hundred and three!
POEM:
DAD, YOU DESERVE A HUG (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: Appreciation for father from daughter
not just for
today,
but one for every breath that you take
because I can’t even begin to imagine
if you weren’t the type of father that you are,
what would be at stake
I can barely imagine a life left to my own devices
with someone like you not caring enough
to guide me through my mistakes
you have been there to make sure
I never looked toward “hood rat” ambitions
and when it came to me wanting to try new things
you were always at the ready, making it your mission…
to be certain that I knew what I may be getting myself into
some things you let me learn the hard way
and some falls you cushioned with your advice
and that is why I have so much love for you
this hug is not something kept on reserve
for a day when “society” deems you worthy
this hug is yours anytime I can give it
it’s yours because you’ve earned it from the moment I was born
and for every second that you’ve loved me!
POEM: THE MEANS
(Verse Designer: Kenneth Harris, Jr.)
Description: appreciation from son to father who was once a
“hustler”
Looking
back on what you tried…you are lucky to not have been part of the
slaughter…out on these
streets treading water…you could have died…but needed to earn…needed
to quiet hunger’s burn…needed the family to get this thing turned…in
another direction….and the hustle provided us protection…but this ode
to you is based on my own reflection.
But we are
beyond that…mom said you decided to man up and stand up and that’s a
fact…and that cannot be said with tact…you did it, and I love you…in
many ways, I will always be your li’l man,
no one is above you…knowing that if a hair on my head is in stress…you
will be there to be the best…that you can be…dad of the week on
tv…and if I needed you back on the
track…even though it is wack…that is where
you will be…and you and me will be there standing tall back to
back…because we just get down like that…but it will not be…at this
point, it is not necessary…like you, the sun has set on that aspect of
me…and all I can see…is warm, blue sky for you and me…thanks, Dad,
‘cause that is how the end of a hustler’s run ought to be.
POEM: SON, I’M SO
PROUD (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation from mother to son, praising his
parenting
You’ll have to
be the one to tell me
if I can lay claim to any
“credit”
for how wonderful a man and father you’ve turned out to be
I don’t want to be presumptuous…
and assume that I’m the reason for who you are
but I’ll tell you, baby…
if I’m even a minimal part
that would be enough to make me feel like a superstar
watching you with them is like watching a master at work
and I know your children will grow up beautifully
full of the knowledge you’ll pass down to them
and an unshakeable sense of self worth
we are so alike in so many ways
but to know that I played any part in who you are now
would be a blessing that can carry me…
through the rest of my days
it’s what every mother wants
to have her teachings received
and to get through each day able to believe
that you would pick up the best of me
and know how to disregard the worst
I watch you navigate fatherhood so skillfully
It’s like God cast you for the starring role
and you never even had to rehearse!
If you credit me with being the producer,
the director
or even the supporting cast
for the role of the magnificent man you’ve become
then I’ll accept the honor graciously, and gratefully
so, thank you, for being the father you are…
and making me so proud to have you as a son.
POEM:
LARGER THAN LIFE (Verse Designer: Terri A. Meredith)
Description: appreciation of grandfather from grandson
...and
a big heart
…and a humongous soul
because, Grandpa, you see
everything about you has always seemed so BIG
because you’ve always been larger than life to me
I mean, you are the creator of the person who created me
so, from adulthood going all the way back to infancy
you have always been a giant among men
the one who could discipline me in one instance
and turn around in another
to return to being my best friend
you’ve always had a big head, Grandpa
perfectly suited to hold the wisdom and stories
of what it was like for you back in the day
that head seemed to house every bit of information I’ve ever
needed
whenever I came to you…
because I was struggling to find my way
your hands
seemed so large and
perfectly proportioned
to carry the world in their palms
in so many ways, you’ve been my closest connection to God
you have been my scripture, my verse, my lessons and my psalms
I hold you in such high esteem
because you’ve never let me down
even when it seemed like a parent couldn’t understand,
or didn’t have time
I could count on my Grandpa to always be around
you are the elder who gives the village its guidance
and you deserve every prop for handling the duties of a strong, Black
patriarch so efficiently
you have always had a big head, Grandpa…because you’ve always been a
giant among men
so everything about you is huge in my eyes…
since you’ve always been LARGER THAN LIFE to me.
