My granddad was a noble seaman
nobly doing his job in the blistering heat.. shoveling coal
and by night time shivering in the blizzard cold
contrast of temperatures took a toll on his body
old folks with cigars....playing cards relaxing what little time they had in the lobby
and with every penny the earned
they sent it back home so that their kids could get to school and learn
this was the struggle
we were the rocks of this country and d.am.n a whiteman’s rebuttal
fallen leaves from trees
brothers who consoled each other ''when will this pain every ease???''
foreheads firmly on the floor praying congregationally, accumulating good deeds
new to these surroundings.. loss of sense of direction
a complete culture shock had them rocked to a replete of disorientation
for most of them this was life and a simple matter of survival
suicidal thoughts that they had to bear and rival
the clasping of hands to kindle warmth through friction
glowing faces watching through ship windows wishing to go back, hoping to be spared affliction
this was their horrid life...
and the only reason im here was because of them combating problems that were rife and thrive-
-to solely put smiles on our faces
food for growth...im older now and my comprehension to show gratitude has germinated in different stages
as life hurryingly flips its pages