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What Would You Think

A Note to Kenny A Gifted Young Man and Student “WHAT WOULD YOU THINK” If you saw A caged bird without a beak Or heard a deaf song From a parakeet? A gazelle that could not run A midnight black morning Without the sun A mother that refuses to hear The sobs of her daughter saying “Mother Dear, Please…” It would be tragic indeed. Only one other tragedy could compare. That of seeing a talented black young man refuse to declare. Make known to the world, “I am here…” Yes tragic indeed, to see an intellect that we couldn’t even forget Because it was never used to remember. Can such a curse be forgiven? It would be my sin to see this wrong and remain silent. So in this poem I yell! Plead with the black young man “Do tell!” You with something to find Seek… You with something to stand Be… You with something to say Speak… While there is still time Make up your mind And shine…

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Skat A

Date: 6/12/2015 1:30:00 AM

Tyshawn, Congratulations on having your poem featured this week. SKAT love

Ken Jordan

Date: 6/11/2015 4:46:00 AM

Black is beautiful! and so is this poem, the expressive meaning of each line. I have an 18 year old in the same situation, he did not graduate because he chose the wrong path. Now, he's twenty credits short of graduating. I've learned that it's all up to the person, cause lawd knows I've tried to get him to do the right thing, it's al up to him. Don't give up on him my friend, a light will come some day and he'll realise how much time he's wasted. Always Ken

Tyshawn Knight
Date: 6/15/2015 9:25:00 PM

The young man actually died last year at age 21. No one heard his voice but he was as brilliant as Tupac. I tried to get his grandmother to publish his poetry but, she was in too much pain so I stopped pressuring her. She said that most of his poems were about a girlfriend so the grandmother gave the poems to his girlfriend. It is really sad.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 5/10/2015 11:08:00 AM

This makes me think of the Movie "Finding Forester" it is important for young men of all colors to seize their magnificence. We have a 24 year old son who graduates this month and we are so proud that he has chosen a challenging path that has expedited his growth as a human being. We have told him that he is built to take the steep path.

Tyshawn Knight
Date: 6/15/2015 9:26:00 PM

I love that movie! It reminds me of my relationship with the Poet Laureate Dr. Diane Goodman who mentored me in high school.