For Ajamu

I asked…
I asked him what movement was
I asked him what black power was
He looked me in the eyes and told me more stories
Of strength, determination, and understanding
Than I ever read
Before he spoke a word
Because his face said no turning back

Because his eyes were pitch black portals to tomorrow's victories
In the center was the pupil
My reflection where school was in session
And I learned self-respect in the chisel of his cheek bones
Learned to reach deep inside for confidence
So that I could pull ideas from the root of me
Like his locks pulled wisdom from years of experience
I asked him…

How do you stand in white light and show them
That peace lies in the darkness

The richness of earth's mysteries
Like chocolate covered hope
He gave me truth dipped in cocoa that warmed my spirit

Warned me of Hershey flavored illusions
Shrink wrapped and sold in packages of Amerikkkan dreams
I sought refuge from Black fists raised high
To pound redundancy in the heads of young men

And lips that spoke revolution while taking pennies from brown hands
No exodus to Africa, but support for self-serving ventures
And pain reduction for black berets long lost and black gloves that don't fit anymore
He gave it to me
Gave my intelligence the strength to rebel
Led my insight on an assault
Nat Turnered my potential and set it's sights on white supremacy
Gave me the strength to overcome as these fools
Tried to massacre my convictions like Wilmington
I needed to know that I fit

That struggle was a destination not an affliction
That movement was a noun not a disability
That my voice rang as loud as theirs

I asked to matter
He showed me how to mix the elements of my understanding
And now my matter is a dense mass of passion
That propels in pursuit of justice
His teachings charted my relevance
In periodic actions and equated family with ferocity
I asked
And thank God, he was there to answer

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