Pop, I have studied men
on the street of your generation
to recreate your smile
and admire that 70s bop,
although I knew it was
a feigned coolness
in a world that didn’t care
if you walked upright or not
because it was determined
to stop the new seed anyhow
or bend you like putty
one way or another
until your manhood, your family,
and your race could not be revived.
For this, I have cried
too often for your shortened life.
Pop, I have heard your voice
in the tone of anointed pastors
and thought, that’s how my dad
would have said that, if
he had said that, if
he had broken free…
if he had made the choice, if
he had continued to live,
if he could only see if.
Pop, I have unearthed you 1,000 times
and birthed you from Mary’s womb,
given you power, prosperity, peace,
and divine wisdom–I saw
possibilities in you.
I reconstructed you
on the faces of distinguished men
and finally in the eyes of
your grandson who reflects
your charm and intellignece
in the absence of
homemade adversity-
just everything you wished to be-
plus male poetry walking straight
in God’s destiny
breeding generations of saved men.
The world will not win.
Shawn R. Jones
“Pop, I’ve unearthed you 1,000 times and birthed you from Mary’s womb…” That made me say OMG. Such a vivid powerful description to convey that sense of longing. Though the loss speaks with every line, there is this hope and thankfulness for something passed on.
I like your poems.
Thank you so much. I usually read this one at poetry readings. I didn’t know if it would go over as well read silently by someone else. I truly appreciate all your comments : )