To understand

And be understood

It has been taught

As a mother’s child should

Always be attentive

And hopeful

Speak softly

And not boastful

So we learn again

Today and everyday

How to understand

Upend

The night

And take the day

For the moments

That have faded away

So it is in the moment

We achieve

What we need

Today

And everyday

It was offered

And the commitment was made

To take

What was on the display

Of hope and

Continual words

Relayed

Today

I will take

Whatever comes

My way

If I was unaware

I apologize

For the blatant

Blindness

That I have inherited

Over the years

But I strive

To be better

As we all do

So be patient

For growth

Is inconsistent

But it comes

In time

By the time

I made it to the

Church

The words

Had ossified

The hopes of the people

It was too late

No more

Hope

Just hate now

As the main currency

Of the day

The city to the south

Departing Chicago

On the way

To the warmth

Of a summer’s break

Headed to Nashville

Will take

Any daylight

To make my way

On the interstates

Wednesday