Some n!ggaz recognize the light but they can't handle the glare

It don't take a whole day to recognize sunshine
-Common, The Light

While laid up in bed recovering from this nasty little cold that I randomly caught this weekend, I happened to go through some old files and came across the materials from the Blackout show we had in March. I performed two original pieces and did one reading. I chose to honor Ted Thomas, a man who I admired as a student and have come to know as a huge force in making Roxbury relevant to the outside world. Just thought I'd share his work so that his name does not go unmentioned in the annals of history as someone who lived their life without having an impact on anyone. Nahmean.

To A Sister I Saw/Or Remnisiscing
by Ted Thomas

I remember you...sister
You were young and we played together
On the banks of the Congo
I still remember how
The cool evening sun shone bright on your dark skin
How good the breeze felt
As you and me walked along secret paths
That led us to secret places
How nature and you and me formed a perfect triangle
And the morning sun that woke us up
Smiled a warm and natural smile

I remember you...sister
Working side by side with me
In the southern cotton fields
Toiling and sweating and dying inside
The Congo had dried up and
The sun was cold
I still remember when you were taken from me
And violated by the beast
Slowly our triangle became a square

I remember you...sister
Looking for a job and finding one
And now the hands that used to kiss the Congo
Was dipped into dish water
The knees that used to kneel in the soft grass
Was no kneeling on a hardwood floor
I still remember you bringing home the money
And me
With no job
Planning the budget

I remember you...sister
Standing by the bus stop
With your dashiki dress on
African beads and natural hair
Watching me walk by you
With a college education
Money in my pocket
And a white girl on my arm

But in my blindness
I have found sight
Because I have decided to remember
And looking into a dark past sometimes produces light

So, I remember you...sister
I saw you again, a few minutes ago
I smiled as you passed by and said
"Hello...sister"
You smiled back and said
"...Hello"
I wanted to stop you and ask
Sister, have you forgotten me?
Do you ever reminisce?
Do you ever think back to the time when?
But I didn’t have to
Because your clear dark eyes have already told me
Brother... I remember you too