BRAVE…

 i wrote this after i had a conversation with a much older man at the airport while we were waiting for our (twice delayed) flight and after i told him what i did for a living, he expressed his displeasure at how so many young people are more interested in being entrepreneurs. so, i expressed my displeasure at what his generation have done to push us into being proactive in a system that they let grind to a halt by toeing the line and being passive in the face of rampant greed. he got the message, but he, like most of his generation are old and set in their ways. but we aren’t. step forward so we can all step up. 

PS,
i assure you i was polite.
enjoy…

 

 

BRAVE

I bring the news of a young black man’s views
of ancestors who left us ashes and a future more than slightly askew
I give you my all, give you my perfect ten
every time I put my heart to pen
my heart is worn on my sleeve like all real men
I will not, cannot, must not back down
you look at my t-shirt and jeans, my sneakers
and you shake your head and frown
open your eyes, dig a little deeper
see my mind, my pumping heart
my decision not to do as you did and toe the line
it eats at you, tears you apart
the fear that I’ll go my way and still get mine
I see it in your eyes; your innate cowardice
I will beat my own path, go past your mistakes
yes, that’s what you must pay, the price
your legacy of self and greed dies here, slam the brakes
I take responsibility for today and tomorrow
I am the future. I am hope. My heart will know no grave
you are yesterday, this young black man will grow
I know no fear, I am brave…

ibrahim onimisi-Suleiman
2013