they came as teens
from West Africa,
feet dancing from rhythms
uncivilized.
they came to live,
to learn, to make
the most of life;
eager to leave
the place that birth
them life.
they went to schools,
later university, sat on desk
once sat by whites;
learning to pronouns
words with flair
nostrils to sound alike.
they absorb the culture,
sang the creed,
then, got some rights.
to never decreed, nor
intercede from whence
they arise.
to my brothers and sisters far and wide with love