I remember Peter <br />Use to 'conk' his hair! <br />Back in the day... <br />When I lived in Bellevue Square. <br /> <br />I remember the Watermans, <br />The Holters... <br />And the Jacksons down stairs! <br />Families who loved, <br />And shared their cares. <br /> <br />Peter tried to be slick. <br />Playing wicked childhood tricks, <br />On silly giggling girls... <br />To see who he would pick, <br />To lick his... <br /> <br />Well! <br /> <br />Greasy Peter held his own. <br />Sometimes aloof... <br />And thought of as a 'goof off' <br />Yet funny and never alone! <br /> <br />He tied his 'doo rag' <br />As if to top his head with a crown. <br />It sat high and tight, <br />Like a phoenix rising... <br />Never to land on the ground! <br /> <br />Peter showed us something, <br />To make us search... <br />For what he found! <br />Peter had an 'identity'... <br />No matter who felt he was unfit, <br />Or a dysfunctional foolish clown! <br /> <br />Peter showed us 'something'! <br />An identity he flaunted around. <br />And I remember Peter still... <br />For helping me see myself clearly, <br />And be 'me' regardless of who frowns! <br /> <br />And today I still can see Peter... <br />Running to catch a bus at sunrise, <br />And silhouetted on the horizon... <br />Walking home with his 'dome' held high. <br />Against the blazing colors... <br />When the sunsets enclosed him. <br />And the confident steps, <br />Peter laid down! <br />As if 'he' was the 'chosen'! <br /> <br />I remember Peter. <br />Bold... <br />With a presence golden! <br /> <br /> <br />'For those who lived <br />In a time when street corner 'doo wops' <br />And slick wavy hair gave a freshness... <br />A certain purpose and a meaning to a quiet, <br />And racially divided time in the '50's! <br />Acceptance... <br />Though not fully embraced, <br />Was tolerated 'within' those invisible boundaries! <br /> <br />'I Remember Peter' brings back a highly 'spirited' <br />era of innovation, daring, complex and yet fun filled time. <br />When self respect and dignity was worth more than gold! ' <br /> <br />~Hey man? <br />Is this one of those 'Diapoemalogue' pieces? <br />A mix of poetry and personal narrative speech treats? ~ <br /> <br />'YES! '<br /><br />Lawrence S. Pertillar<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-remember-peter/
