Grateful
For Life
1
They told mother to abort me
Said that times were much too
hard
They told mother to abort me
I wonder; were they really
playing God
With Christian hope Mama kept
the faith
With her love she conquered hate
Chorus
I'm grateful for the day that I
was born
For this life I give thanks and praise
Children everywhere your voices
raise
Say thank you Mama, come on come
on
Thank you Papa, yea, yea, yea
Want to take this chance to tell
you both that I love you
2
They told mother to abort me
Said this was in her best interest
They told mother to abort me
I'm so glad that; Mom was just
not impressed
Times were hard Mama played it
cool
I'm so glad she didn't play the
fool
Chorus
3
They told mother to abort me
This they said was good advice
They told mother to abort me
I'm so glad Mom kept her eyes on
the prize
With faith and love we made it
through
Mom and Dad nuff thanks to you
Chorus
Washington
Stevens
......................................................................................
Point A to
Point B
I embarked on what turned out to
be a very dangerous journey.
In search of my Afro-centricity
and my freedom
In a world filled with bars and
chains of isms and schisms
And a multitude of fabricated
borderlines
The port of ignorance was my
point of departure
With much anticipation I quickly
boarded the train to the isle of knowledge
Where I studied and learned that
life was indeed a virtual collage
I sailed through the sea of
sorrow
Rode boisterous waves of pain
Rescued only by the lifeboat of
hope
As misfortune fell like pouring
rain
I climbed High Mountain
of despair
Battering the monster of racism
As I journeyed along the way
Narrowly escaped the venom
Of the serpent of deception
With my dagger of diligence
Patiently he was slain
I hiked the narrow straight of
theology
Found facts tainted with
mythology
Took many tablets of philosophy
Which was necessary?
To maintain my sanity
I navigated the curious ocean
deep
There I found many souls still
asleep
Who chose to make this place
their grave?
Than on a plantation be someone’s
slave
I entered the gates of history
Discovered the truth covered
with lies
But like a tree planted by the
spring
Truth continued to rise
I saw the souls of my ancestors
Those who had their eyes upon
the prize
I paid them tribute
Poured them libation
Whose blood sweat and tears
Are reasons I stand before you,
not breathless
But invigorated, agitated,
motivated and very much alive
© Washington Stevens
........................................................................................
I Found Me
I found me in the wind
I dare not exist without the air
I found me among the atom
that compiles the atmosphere
I found me in the river
In the sea, in the ocean
I found me in the Universe's rhythmic vibration
I found me in the reflection
In the mirror of my mind
I found me cradled; in the hands of time
I find me at times alone but unafraid
As this body takes it's journey
From the cradle to the grave
I found me on paths
Paths I wish I never trod
Living through experiences I wish I never had
I found me yearning
For the truth to set me free
I found me wondering where the hell's my sovereignty
I found me searching
For a sure shelter from the storm
I found me; in the produce from the farm
I found me in sight
Scent, feel,taste and sound
I was surely lost, but now I'm found
Washington Stevens
..................
Words
I speak words formed in patterns
To the sound of rhythmic drum roll beat
I speak words formed in pattern
To the smooth soulful sound of tap dancing
From the shoes on Gregory Hinds feet
I speak words formed in patterns
Generating virtual vision engraved within the mind
I speak words formed in pattern
That gives useful instruction to my brother who is blind
I speak words formed in pattern
To help dispel my doubt and fears
Words formed into question
Say what?
Sometimes that's all you' ll hear
I speak words formed into patterns
Like a sculptor at his art
I speak words filled with power
That sooth and heal broken hearts
I speak words spoken as charismatic
As a preacher to the pew
I speak words impelling recollection
That makes the past all seem brand new
I speak words with explicit clarity
To explain what's given from what's lend
I know my time is borrowed
And somewhere this poem must end
I speak words spoken with over-standing
So you may see beyond my height
I speak words formed into sentences
Some as short as good night
Washington Stevens
...................................................................................................................
I Hurt
I walk the streets of the city
To and fro from home
I see people; yes people!
Living like sticks and stones
No longer like flesh and bones
And I hurt
I see men, men who are fathers, men who are brothers
Men with no place to live
I hear wealthy men saying, be off with you
We have but naught to give
And I hurt
I see women, women who are mothers, women who are daughters
Women adorned with natural beauty
Who could have made royal brides
Living their lives in mire from a loss of sense of pride
And I hurt
I see children; oh God no
Children whose occupation is to beg
Without table on which to eat on
No place to lay their head
And I hurt
Bam! bam! bam! in the streets the gun shots rang
And another youth soaked in blood
Lays lifeless in the sand
Dear God, Dear God please
Let this madness cease
Hear thou my feeble prayer
I’m down on bended knees
And for what, for what O God
For what this prayer is worth
Hear thou my feeble voice
For deep inside I hurt
Washington Stevens
.....................................................................................................
Elements of Survival
Elements of the universe how valuable are their worth
Elements that nurtures and replenishes mother earth
The sun that shines the air we breathe
The rain that falls below
That gives us light and gives us life
That keeps us on the go
The moon with all its sentiments
A reflection of the sun
The beach where water meets the land
And folks frolic with much fun
Elements of the universe; how precious are their worth
Trees and plants on which we feed and heal us when we hurt
Washington Stevens
...........................................................................................................................................
The following poem is dedicated to all the brothers killed by lynch mobs
all across these United States of America
Hanged Men
I pay respect to
To them that fought
And never flinched
Who lived like men
Held up their heads
Heads that were later
Adorned with rope
Hanged to death
But not their hope
That some day
They would be free
Generations would pass
But this would be
Who chose death
And died with pride
Than live on earth
And be denied
Their space
To live and be FREE
Washington Stevens
