chuck taylor’s

Tell us about your favorite pair of shoes, and where they’ve taken you.

Baby girl,

On every coast I’ve been,

Chuck’s been right there.

Reminds me of old cheap Charlie,

My mother used to call him,

When she’d save a buck or two

While crushing me deeper into

The pit this world has me in

But I’m still digging

Through the trenches and timberlands

Thoughts swimming through my mind

take air over Jordan and fly

to the land of palm trees and wide skies,

Rather hear the buzz of the back of a trunk.

Than trudge through snow in my Chucks.

Today

Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?

Today I decided to release you from my narrative

Chose to write a new one, expose true character

Today I decided to take care of me first

Tired of getting it up out the mud

Decided to accept what I deserve.

The best.

Nothing less.

Than I give my child.

It’s almost time

Had to get a pen and pad to calculate

The cost of guiding my children down the path

Of scholar athlete and college graduate.

People say the degree is useless

But for us it’s the ticket to the door

And the end of the line of more acceptable candidates.

Education, community and creativity.

We have to be all three to succeed

God bless the child who does all three well,

At least eight generations removed from slavery

Seventh generation college graduate

Sixth generation intellectual

Fifth generation creative

Fourth generation revolutionary

Third generation doctorate degree holder

Second generation legacy

First generation trust fund baby

On your shoulders I’ve climbed from seven to three

In my fourth centennial imagine what else I could achieve?

night or morning

Are you more of a night or morning person?

These days it is both.

Making up time past spent

Taking up space in the rooms I’m in.

Planning and setting goals for prosperity

While I clench at my tightened chest

Filled with anxiety.

Late nights orchestrating and motivating my progeny,

Early mornings rising to beat the sun to earn a salary.

That meets my needs, and some wants,

Supplements for every expense,

From edge control, insoles and AP Exam fees,

Palpitations and flutters brings me back to loving on me.

Making sure I am the first one they see.