by Ewuare X. Osayande
your world was as wide as the palm of your hand
oblivion on either side
you trained past bruises and pain
refused defeat
mastering unforgiving bars and beams of wood
sashaying like a young Katherine Dunham
a geometry of poise and grace
somersaulting into the record books
rewriting history with hands, feet and a mind
strengthened by grit and time
your smile
is beautiful and bright as an African sun
rising
in the minds of our daughters
with dreams big and brave as your leaps and bounds
you won more than gold
you won the adoration of your people
the respect of a nation
and the reverence of the world
you
named for an angel
bearing the wings of Maat
balanced belief and determination
we watched you fly
into the halls of Mt. Olympus
your name etched in its stone
forever to remain.
—
Ewuare X. Osayande is a poet, activist and author of several books including Whose America?. Follow his work on Facebook and Twitter.
