I Shall Rise

I Shall Rise
Maybe Not Today or Tomorrow
Nevertheless, I Shall Rise
You may Not See me
After all, I'm just me
I might Not Drive a Lincoln Four-Door
Or Cover my Feet in Versace
Though my Will is strong
I Shall Rise
Into the heavens above my head
I Might not Hide behind Layers of
Armani and Gucci
Or Strangle my Wrist With a Tag-Heuer
Yet my Pride is Ever-Present
I Shall Rise
Perhaps Not in One Giant Leap
Even in My Worn Thin Moccasins
My wife May Not Own a Macy's Card
Or have a craving for Olive Garden
My Kids Might not Squeeze into
an Aeropastale Shirt
Or Stick their Feet into Nike sneakers
But Still
I Promise You
I Shall Rise
By any Means Necessary
And When I Do
May God Shed His Mercy On You
For I am Coming
Until Then
Could You Spare Dime Kind Sir?

Farmer's Son

Farmer's Son
In The Northern Deserts
Of The Sudan
1958
Two Years After The Birth Of This Country
He Came Into Existence
Son Of A Farmer
Who Was Neither Well Off
Or Down Under
He Led a Simple Life
This Son Of A Farmer
He Rode A Donkey To School
Where He Spent Weeks At A Time
In The School Dorm
He Went On To College
In The Capital
A New Sight
Hundreds Of Cars
And From These Humble Beginnings
He Went On To Have Four OF His Own Kids
And He Became My Father
Son Of A Farmer