Thirty-Five

Thirty-Five You would be Thirty-five I’m wishing you were still alive Celebrating that we have arrived A seat at the table and we survived Generations of Oppression and Genocide Taught it’s safest to stay quiet and hide Never have too much pride keep everything inside But we could taste the poison of unspoken truths Truth is, you showed me how to speak Out to a crowd and against the man All the while, staying hand in hand Overcoming all obstacles Stronger together, we continued to stand. You would be Thirty five Now I stand alone but our souls have grown Friends for so long, life’s needle has sewn our beings together I know I’m never on my own I can still feel your hand Holding me high Guiding my way As I reach to the sky No longer afraid Because you taught me to fly Now flying with me Invisible Cloud like wings You would be Thirty-Five