To Nikki Giovanni

at fifteen seeing and listening to you in Roanoke, VA in that moment I knew that's what I wanted to do and your words elemental thought-provoking grounding, energizing, and at times, beautifully subtle and Ms. Giovanni, if I were a poet i'd be like you vocal, strong, and flying on wings of freedom you kidnapped me that day at Virginia Western Community College to take me on a ride of rhythm and words -- we retrieve our blues back and because of you I will alwys remember that shoulders are for emergencies only and will go back to that blues that gospel that African drum in heart and spirit even while llistening to rap music up up and away to mars among the stars and you shine so bright so bold every poem a story told