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Remembering U.S. Rep. John R. Lewis by Jacqueline OBoomer
The boy from Troy
Whose Mother no doubt
Did not want him to go
Traveled to the bridge
So long ago, so long ago
He marched with Dr. King
And spoke at the podium before him
They had to tone down his words
Because he spoke the harsh truth
And while he spoke the truth
He learned so well
And taught others
And I’m guessing for his Mother
To tone down the words
Forgive the others
Make his impassioned plea
Make it a learning event
On the road to Congress
Where he spent long years
And became its conscience
Educated more youthful soldiers
Boys and girls from Troy
And everywhere
Never to be taken down
And told not to be so harsh
Again.
Because he found his voice
He found his voice.
Today he is driven in a hearse
Through the streets of Washington
To pay respects at the
National Museum of African American
History and Culture
That he worked to achieve and the
Lincoln Memorial and
Black Lives Matter Lane and
the U.S. Capitol
And be driven nearby the souls who
Loved him
Some waiting in the streets.
It’s touching
It’s hard to watch.
I am so glad I got the chance
To witness the history from afar
I saw the boy from Troy speak
Before Dr. King at the podium
I saw him visit
Black Lives Matter plaza this year
I saw him in Congress
Sometimes during late-night hours
When he was speaking up
And standing up
For his fellow Americans
Gone but not forgotten
A treasure sent for only a little while
Borrowed from his Mother
So he could dedicate his life to
Getting in good trouble and now
His life has space at the museum
His life mattered
Our hearts break
Good trouble.
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The Obama Diary 
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