a poem for you

This is an earnest declaration of my appreciation 

No flabbergasted flattery or phony fabrication

You held me to a higher standard 

When I wasn’t being sincere to self and you accepted no imitation 

When the chatter in my head was loud

You said be still and listen 

I was caught up  trying to follow the crowd and copy their new positions

But You- Reminded me of my legacy- traditions- spoken- written 

Now I’ve been vindicated- if my poetic verses are any indicator

The ancestors breathe and speak through me like a ventriloquist on a ventilator 

And I believe that people are divided by specific separators

A line of demarcation between the lovers and the haters 

Northern and southern hemisphere’s like the earth and the equator

Creating longitude and latitude - My attitude is gratitude 

Consider me uniquely pleased - without the need for platitudes

What I’m a do is honor you- to everyone whose crossed my path 

Poetically I separate the wheat from the chaff

Is that addition or subtraction- you do the math

My people - you are my bounty and abundance - the best that I have

Brother Siddiq