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.