A King
a fine man
his smiles few
his temper swift
his apologies profuse
broad hands
heavenly lips
pearly whites for teeth
crinkles about his eyes
a dimple on his right cheek
a frown that makes you think twice
an easy stride
a firm grip
doesn’t mind holding his 3 year old nieces hand
as they walk to the park
bends down
to
tie her shoe
adoringly she looks up
prides himself for his strong hands
a decent man
never too proud
washes the dishes
gently
looks down at his mother and beams
adoringly she looks up
a simple man
harsh words were spoken as the scuffle broke out
a staying hand on the boys shoulder
he only need give a look
heaving chests calming
clenched fists relaxing
adoringly they look up
A King walks among us!
Look how he
savors his words before he speaks
a late blooming flower his smile is
his steps so unhurried
his presence lingers on & on long before he is gone
tranquility exalts him
our future
he is
But they caught you my King!
Look how they
mislead you
you who are so wise but oh so green
Our King!
Look how they
chained you
struck you and broke you
mocked you
your flesh
an endless hue of a bellowing dust storm
tearing & singing
‘This is where you’ll be cut!
This is where you’ll be wasted!’
each grasping for a part of you
as we stood back and watched
now they have all these lines drawn over you
and no matter how you try with your bound hands
they’ll never be cleansed
not even smeared
and each adding year
one by one
we deeply singe your flesh as we redraw the lines
add on to the locks and chains
kick and scorn as you fall again and again
Oh look how he unsteadily rises
to stand again and again
and we spit at you
pelt you
Oh look how he never reproaches
though the weight of the added chains have bent your once straight back
though the gashes, scars, wounds have obscured your handsome frame
though your youth has all but wilted
your kindness
your wisdom
your uprightness
your fairness
have not faded
but grown bright & potent
I sit here unlocking
unraveling and freeing
My King
Version II
A King
a fine man
his smiles few
his temper swift
his apologies profuse
broad hands
heavenly lips
pearly whites for teeth
crinkles about his eyes
a dimple on his right cheek
a frown that makes you think twice
an easy stride
a firm grip
doesn’t mind holding his 3 year old nieces hand
as they walk to the park
bends down
to
tie her shoe
adoringly she looks up
prides himself for his strong hands
a decent man
never too proud
washes the dishes
gently
looks down at his mother and beams
adoringly she looks up
a simple man
harsh words were spoken as the scuffle broke out
a staying hand on the boys shoulder
he only need give a look
heaving chests calming
clenched fists relaxing
adoringly they look up
A King walks among us!
Look how he
savors his words before he speaks
a late blooming flower his smile is
his steps so unhurried
his presence lingers on & on long before he is gone
tranquility exalts him
our future
he is
But you’ve been caught my King!
Look how you
undervalue yourself
you who are so wise but oh so green
Our King!
Look how the years
have washed and stained
now our
young sons & daughters
aimless and vain
Oh look how he never reproaches
though the weight of these new generations have bent his once straight back
though the bewilderment at this worlds new phases obscure his once handsome frame
though his hope has all but wilted
your kindness
your wisdom
your fairness
have not faded
but grown bright & potent
My King
Nubian(Q) 