THAT IS WHAT I DO
If there is animosity in our family or community
I sing loving songs of satire or ridicule
As a purge
To ease family pain and sorrow
It is my place, my honor to compose or borrow
A blues lament and a wailing dirge
In addition to the historical, personal and topical
I sing songs of the religious, the cosmic,
the philosophical to rhythms and melodies we all know
And, if a situation calls for a song of praise and glory,
with your permission I will tell your heroic family story.
I am a poet this is what I do
©CamilleYarbrough