We had the honor of hosting Harry Belafonte and his wife Pamela at our home during President Obama’s inauguration, thanks to Joia Jefferson Nuri. I wrote an acrostic poem for Mr. Belafonte, recognizing his life-long service to the civil rights movement. In celebration of Black History month and in honor of our elders who paved the way, I hope you’ll be inspired by this poem. I highly recommend Harry Belafonte’s eloquent and amazing memoir, “My Song“.
To Harry Belafonte:
- How do we say thank you for
- A lifetime of service —
- Reaping the rewards of your giving,
- Realizing that you, and others, chose
- Your paths to specifically accomplish goals you
- Believed in… and that you were willing to sacrifice
- Everything: your lives, your freedom…
- Let us remember the true value of time,
- Accomplishments, dreams, setbacks, present moments…
- For in acknowledging each part
- Of this magnificent whole, we
- Now have the opportunity and the responsibility
- To design and create a new world society:
- Embracing true peace and prosperity for all…
Mozella P. Ademiluyi
January 20, 2009
