Anthony Blake Poet Free verse

NO HOLDS BARRED

The struggle
High determination
The effort
Through the pain and agony
My famous Great Uncle’s whose parents were slaves on a plantation in the South
Their lives uncertain
A son destined to cut the ties that bind in making something of his life
It was self-encouragement and inspiration
Every chance my Great Uncle got, he practiced on a piano for hours, days, weeks and nights
Training his fingers to be masterpiece of perfection
Wasn’t easy during the slavery days
A slave had to stay in their place, and be obedient to the plantation masters

Simply, surrendering
Having no morals nor principles
However, surrendering was not going to be an option for my famous Great Uncle
Breakout and change the melody of opposition
My Great Uncle had a plan and was going to escape and head North
He couldn’t tell his parents that he was leaving the plantation, but seeing that their son was gone, they were thinking he would be dead
In essence, he made it North
Years into years led to the direction of preserver
Harlem Nights was a start
It was the Cotton Club on 125th Street
Nights were clear and displaying the Moon
Once my famous Great Uncle Eubie hit those ivories, it was introduction for everyone to explore the dance floor

The Jazz music being hot
One could tell as the dance floor full of sweat
Tempo and rhythm had a meaning for entertainment

Years revolved to another, my Great Uncle Eubie had a name and became famous as an extraordinaire Jazz Pianist having the ranks of Composer, Producer, Actor and of course the music metric
My Great Uncle Eubie appeared on Broadway in many shows and one of the shows he produced was SHUFFLE ALONG that was on Broadway many times
To highlight his Achievements through his Accomplishments, a play of honor called “EUBIE” was produced in 1985
Gregory and Maurice Hines being one of the star dancers
Great White Way on Broadway
My Great Uncle Eubie is represented at the Smithsonian Afro-American Museum in Washington, DC
The inspiration
The education
No holds barred.

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