Saying Goodbye again and again.

Today I went to say goodbye to a friend of yours

I looked at life knowing death is part of its course

Thinking of my beliefs and the very source

Hoping in your mind, you left with no remorse

I sat and listened as is mine to do

To the children voice their praise

You know all I had were thoughts of you

Of the similarities in many of your very ways

The descriptive way they leaned to prose

Of colonialism and how y’all snubbed your nose

Sternly admonishing us, keeping us on our toes

Whilst keeping us a step ahead of our foes

I observed the men in the room

Those with children, stoic, expressionless

Like my camera lens I zoomed

Into their hearts, some so bottomless

Lacking of emotion, void of life, opposite of wives

Who showed every emotion, we were the prize

But we knew you would give your lives

To save us from guns, jabs or knives

I hope if any had a chance

To make amends they would do so now

Because this road is no circumstance

Everyone’s destiny the same, a solemn vow

Every home coming we attend, a reminder of our fate

Replacing you not an easy feat

But to which we have to step up to the plate

So as you walk on heaven’s streets

Please say a word for all of us

With every intention that again we should meet

Even though this just seems so unjust

Mourn we will, cry and smile, you’ll see

Every single day that passes

To our children we must be

Everything you were and hope it surpasses

And exceeds expectations, So that your life your legacy

Will live on in all your babies, and grandbabies  

And generations to come, in love and jubilee

As thank God and give praise and glory

For yes one day this too will be me

--Odette M. Lawrence

  a.k.a. NorDean Canvas

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