I wrote this poem several years ago about a major experience that I had in college.
December
Damn, it’s too cold to be running
I haven’t eaten all day I can hear my stomach grumbling
Merely 20 years old a Junior in college
Where I gain the knowledge
That spark on the side of the lake that night
A light that would forever change my life
The NJ clouds are pourin’ down rain
My headphones can’t drown out the pain
My running clothes are all soaking wet
I cannot cry there are no tears left
I keep thinkin’ ‘bout the hours before
I keep thinkin’ how will I survive this storm?
I run so fast I’m losing my mind
I run so fast breath is hard to find
The Dean who is like a mother to me
Entered her office and said lovingly
Joe, you’ve been suspended
I sat there, I couldn’t comprehend it
The golden boy was asked to leave
But I’d worked so hard at this university
From the theater stage to the school newspaper
From the dance studio to the international center
Running discussion groups directing plays
A volunteer Big Brother like a mouse in a maze
I kept running around took no precautions
Searching for food found only exhaustion
It came down to one big paper
Afro-Am History thank God my major
Started at midnight finished by nine
Printed it up and turned it in on time
Not my best work but I figured I was fine
But my mind had come up with a different design
My body could no longer tolerate this arduous path
So my mind helped and found an escape hatch
I pushed eject and for a sec I believe I can fly
Then gravity arrived I had to leave for a year’s time
Plagiarism would forever be in my file
A devastating thought as I run that last mile
I run so fast I’m losing my mind
I run so fast breath is hard to find
I arrive at the lake
My heart pounding headphones blasting
I’ve let my parents down shame everlasting
What am I to do?
I am no longer the shining prince of the family
My direction if I only knew
People make mistakes but can that be me…
People make mistakes but can that be me
I approach the thought ever so gradually
I ask for guidance and direction
Is it possible that I’m human with imperfections?
And at that moment my life changes forever
The pieces of the puzzle have finally come together
At that moment my fears take flight
The doors in my mind open to a great new light
This is the chance I’ve been waiting for
The word “suspension” is nothing more
Than cartoonish implausibilities
I have one year with limitless possibilities
Ahead of me a wide open ocean
Behind me in my wake only false notions
Of punishment pitched at a speed blazing hot
I’m gonna catch it and say “Is that the best you’ve got?”
Suspend?
You can’t suspend me
That’s like trying to stop Inertia multiplied by Chi
Seven Words come to my mind
Seven Words I scream so loud breath is hard to find
I no longer live for my family I live for me
Within this crisis I will find opportunity
Seven Words come to my mind
Seven words I scream so loud breath is hard to find
There will be no more guilt no more shame
No more martyrdom no more blame
I create the world in which I want to live
I create the life that I want to live
I am human standing here with no armor
I can finally live my own life with dignity and honor
Seven Words come to my mind
Seven words I scream so loud breath is hard to find
I look up at the corner traffic light
It brightly shines red
I tell myself when that light turns green
Life begins again
I think I’ll walk back
I’m tired of running
As I repeat seven words to myself:
Bring on your warriors
I fear nothing.