my better half
my wife
my life

stood with me
through all the years of debt and struggle

she carries my baby
carries the heavier load

because of her and my soon coming son
I must succeed
I must explode

and yet still remain humble
one with the Tao
right now

do I owe her everything?
and how

at last
ready now for a breakthrough
your heart has always been faithful and true

I always knew
even when I didn't
it was all for you

like never before
you will enjoy
life's finer things

for you gave my heart wings

Mrs. King
my social worker
serving people and protecting children

while I was an elementary school teacher
just a dreamer
becoming a poetry speaker

before I lost my job with the city
and went to work for the county

as I learned to become a teacher and
a freestyle rapper in juvenile hall jail
just to stand a snowball’s chance in hell

you were always with me
your love never failed me

and now I see

you grounded me
from my own catastrophe
from my own insanity

your love and faith
you guided and kept me

and you blessed me
with a child


is it any wonder?

I love you