You're from the age of the birth of hip hop
Crisp Adidas, shell toes with long white crew socks
Turned into leather laced up oxfords and clean black suits
Never afraid to admit your roots
that produced fruits for students to enjoy
Biting from apples filled with knowledge, wisdom, and compassion
Screaming "Black boy joy"
You've deployed
A sense of warmth and gentleness
A gentle poetic giant
Who was an advocate for access and progress
Success
When I needed you
A "How are you doing Ms. Shakira?"
Took the cake for a girl who didn't know what sweet sincerity tasted like
You were present at every moment
Constantly making sure I was growing
And well spoken
To be a Poet
You made sure that I watched the life I was leading
To know the difference between LIVING and BREATHING
Even in the midst of grieving
You had comfort words that hit the hearts of many like warm blankets when it's chilly
You were the Fresh Prince of Fresh Breath Air there was no need to be in Philly
But really
I got a recognition,
Recognize
That your legacy is a hard act to follow
You were the Obama at the time that made the halls of Hickman High hollow
You were always there when we needed you
A congratulatory when we didn't
You were everything a principal needed to be and more
You were fathers to young black boys and young black girls
Who has never seen the face of strength and resiliency
And I am glad to say
That I will never forget the impact you have made on my life
And I am glad to know
That there's a village of students you fostered that you get to call your own
Thank you, Mr. Johnson.
Your one of many daughters
I truly believe that you made all the difference