A Poem for Indigo

For nothing more than the Love of my people

I fight

staying my path

honoring the ancestors

dragging the children to freedom with the passion of the Christ

because even as a child You freed my mind

and I Love Your imperfections

           the way You colored outside the lines

though Your artwork didn’t win any prizes

as an adult Your heart’s work saves lives

and touches souls unknown even to You

and it pleases God to see You do what You do

because the truth isn’t always what’s said

but in the hand’s work

and no matter what comes and goes

He will be edified through man’s work

and You

You’ve done a lion’s share

tending the fields and feeding His sheep until Your hands hurt

what more can we ask for?

from the time they leave it in the morning

’til after the Sun cries

and Your knees hit the floor

and I beseech thee

take a few moments of time to teach these others

who only pretend and fall short

because their work wasn’t from the heart

they were monetarily motivated from the start

but from the moment that I opened my eyes

           there You were right where You’ve always been

with me looking for the truth so hard

making it hard to find it

but here You stand

and I’ll believe in You from now until judgment call

I pray that I’ll have from now until then to figure out a title to give You

because You are more than a friend

I’m prepared to be the same to You from now until the end

perpetually moving through life cycles until my life cycle ends

these might be my last days

this poem might be my last peace

so I’ve got to speak my peace

because this piece could very well be my eulogy

in the back of my mind thoughts of You cascade down like waterfalls

as water falls against glass

and drops from my lash

becomes streams on my cheeks

and puddles in my palms

for the celestial being You are

           I give alms to Him

and pray that I receive ilm forthright

and on that night become Your generations’ protector

and hear the voice of God saying

           “Protect Her as I protect you”

           “Sanctify Her so that men may see My Love through you”

           “And Wali, believe”

           “My voice Kanika has already told you to just breathe”

so as long as I have breath

           Love I will never leave

I understand that many men may have said things like this before

but from now until the last beat of my heart

every night I’ll walk through Your door saying

           Baby

                      I’m home