I am a lion
Fierce, proud and strong
I am a dragon
Fearless pre-historic
I am a firefly
Illuminating darkness
I am a butterfly
Metamorphic, miraculous
My skin changes
For I am
A shape shifter
I can transform
Into anything I please
I can be an oak
Or a holly tree
Catch me if you can
But if you do
I will change shape
And slip through your fingers
Like frogspawn
Or algae
I morph
And mutate
Vibrate and quiver
But whatever I am
Whoever I am
I am full of life’s energy
A frothing amalgam
Of evolutionary potential
I am a lion
I am a tiger
I am an eagle
I am a cheetah
I am…
I am…
I am…

Free

An achieving long lasting eternal flame
Dignity and honor bearing one name
Dalilah Muhammad bringing Rochdale fame
Your parents who taught you well
The advice is what helped Ms. Muhammad to excel
Olympic Rio will always be that name
The bulls eye being right on target
Extensive practice in the run to compete and not be out done
The run at the beginning years being for strictly fun
But you saw a vision and it became a run
Careful planning was your goal to achieve
It paid off, and it was a Gold Medal that you did receive
Victory in being at your best
We are Rochdale are your followers and we can contest
Ms. Muhammad continue being inspired
When the going gets tough don’t tire
When you think you should quit, don’t expire
It was determination that kept you on track
Your achievement, you will have a victory that you will be able to look back
You are the leader of the pack
Your excellent everyone will continue talking about
The spirit of pride
Destiny having a purpose
You are role model and encouragement to all young people
“Plan ahead and never doubt, a struggle is only hurdle bout, practice makes perfect, and determination in try, but as you learn, you find where your talent really stands”
Congratulations Ms. Muhammad, and achieve now and forever more.

Ball and chain,
We've spent so much together,
Ball and chain,
We are one after the other.
Ball and chain,
You're a friend than of a lover,
Ball and chain,
You're the friend, I am the lover.

I carry the weight upon my shoulders,
You drag me forward.
I've always felt down;
You'd toss me up.
I follow you wherever you are,
A bond keeps us together,
I don't even know if you would rather;
See us as a ball and chain together.

You drag me constantly,
Am I that much of a burden?
I know you want to release me,
But the lock is a mystery to open;
If you're pestered, then say it!
Why not just tell me to leave?
Why are you letting me ruin your life?
Why are you not giving me the truth?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oh — that's what I never realized;*
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
You were chained to another.
.
.
.
.
.
All those heartaches were real, after all;
To love someone who loves someone else;
Now I know why you never said the truth;
Because you never cared anymore.
I was trapped in a dream,
A dream that is far to happen;
I chose to stay in a hallucination so tame,
It's not all your fault — I am partly to blame.

Ball and chain,
I know it's not real,*
Ball and chain,
But still it hurts to let it go,
Ball and chain,
How fast it goes by,
Ball and chain,
*It's time to say goodbye.