for in memory of Gwendolyn Brooks

You inspire me
And touch my very soul
Setting my heart and mind free
Making poetry valued like gold.
We loved the voice you gave
To those without a voice
And if you had a choice
It would be the voices of millions of souls
That may not hear otherwise you know.
You were the light for other poets dwell
In places, we may not go
And you ever wished well
Truly loving us really so.
So there I said what I have to say
To my muse forever
If it hasn't I wouldn't be here today.

January 2005