DARRYL M. GWALTNEY-BEY-76

In Difficult Times

As darkness seems to prevail;
and grief floods in to overwhelm...

Your heart is heavy and void of light;
nothing seems to be going right...

Dig down deep, gather your strength and motivation;
bring it forth, touch someone else with your inspiration.

Upon difficult times we all must stumble;
others rely on you so you cannot crumble.

Let strength prevail...
Let resolution overwhelm...

Keep your heart right...
Keep your thoughts in the light...

Be your own motivation...
Be to others an inspiration...

You will stumble...
You must not crumble...

IN DIFFICULT TIMES

IF IT WAS ME

I would keep looking back to keep memories of you fresh in my mind... Nothing would heal my heart, not even the passing of time...

Your tears and my fears would flow together... Creating a stream uniting us forever...

My only wish would be to find some way to let you know that I am okay... And I deeply regret that I could not stay...

I would want you to remember my smile and forget your pain... Remember my touch and overcome your disdain...

Never forget the loving words that we spoke... When things got serious or even when we joked...

I would want you to be strong and carry on... Assure you there is no reason for you to mourn...

Let you know that in the stream of time, it will seem that only a moment has passed... Then our essence will reunite on a journey into eternity... Together... Forever... At last...

Just In Case

I don't make it home this night.
Just in case things don't come out right;
I leave this memory to shine ever so bright,
And in moments of darkness you will always have a light.

Just in case we never speak again;
Our love will reverberate forever within...

I am taken away,
And don't make it home to share this day;
And apart from you I am forced to stay,
These are the thoughts I wish to convey.

Just in case I don't see you no more;
Your image is branded in my mind to forever adore...

I want you to know that I love you so much,
Just in case I miss your touch;
I could never prepare for such;
The fondest memories I have for a crutch...

We part without a trace;
We'll still have each other, just in case.

STILL I SMILE

You can degrade me in your media with your wicked, evil jive;
You can put me down lower than dirt, but like a fancy child I'll smile.

Why does my being intrepid bother you?
Why are you so full of fear?
Because I stand unflinchingly;
Still holding life so dear.

Just like summer and autumn,
All seasons as they vibe,
Just like birds singing songs
Still I smile.

Did you want me feeling inferior?
All humble or submissive?
Tap dancing and scratching where I dare to itch it

So my boldness scares you
You don't have to be afraid;
'Cause I unite with my family,
In our land to get paid.

You may wound me with words.
You may slice me with your vile.
You may even bury me in your cullc%n*
But still, like a photo, I'll smile.

If my handsomeness disturbs you;
Don't let it get you down;
I can produce a rainbow,
From Light to Darkest Brown.

STILL I SMILE

Up from the chains of mankind's shame,
I smile.
From oppression's nightmare, which no-one took the blame,
I smile.

I'm a whirlwind spinning with pride,
Blowing and billowing like Maya's air,
I rise.
Above the darkness, despair and hate, I smile.

Into a marvellous light pass Heaven's Gate,
I smile.
This is the way my foreparents paved;
It is now in my hands this world to save...

And I smile.
I smile
I smile.

Still I smile is inspired by Maya Angelou's "Still I Rise." No words in all the languages speaks to our ability to endure, and persevere quite like this Queen-like blessing whom God gave us in the form of Mary Angelou.