Jahmal Bright

Just as his marbles ran beneath bed, he lost track of time, when he Advanced to find them; but spied shoe box with Grandma's grands Her hands had labelled names to each stash; he claimed his stock and went to shop Money was plentiful; grams good business sense in Harlem procured pure wealth And Jahmal soon had friends galore; he would pay for early withdrawal of inheritance Love was not around when uncle was summoned, he drove the boy to remote spot. Black was not beautiful that day. Uncle and his friend were brutal boxers, then Right amidst summer crowd, he was let out to run home cupping nakedness in shame If welts and bruised psyche gave remorse to Grandma, boarding school was gift Gone was innocence touched by pain as he flexed, stood to blame and shame Hung his head in humility, then hang on to life and what was left of scarred self To know him is to love him... now he's sensitive Social Worker. *