Father Was My First Friend

Father was my first friend
for when I was too small to hold
he would gently lift me up
my diaper to unfold

father was my first friend
and when I wasn't very tall
he'd stand a distance down our driveway
catching and throwing back my ball

father was my first friend
across tables he'd wink at me
to make me feel like a lovely princess
though is was clear I was rather homely

father was my first friend
that's why he took me everywhere
introducing me to maitre dees
and keeping me in his prayers

father has been a true friend
giving automatic love
that strong hand and guiding force
that women crave and poets write of

helping me with homework
investing in my brain
correcting, refining and shaping
all in my character there was to train

yes, father was a true friend
and so he gave me family ties
and challenges to strive for
while treating me like his prize

father was a fun friend
he told me stories and made me laugh
father was our true friend
so he helped Hladini dodge the draft

father was my first friend
the friend I never will forget
that lifelong friend I rarely knew
and am searching for ever yet

father was my first friend
that's why the wisdom he always imparted
with spontaneous generosity
was enough to get me started

on my path to self-discovery
and to spiritual education
that's led me to an eternity
of real and total liberation

for father's been my bridge to life
the pillar of my spine
in fact, he's so much a part of me
I'm not sure what's his and what's mine

he's in my heart
he's in my genes
he's re-imagined the look
of all I've seen

I've no way to repay him for all he's done
no new words to utter are under the sun
except that I'll love him always,
like only a daughter can
because he's that ideal prototype
of everything I love in a man

besides, not all of us had fathers
not fathers who stuck around
especially not we children
whose features are darker than brown

but in a world full of enemies
my dad gave me friendship
in a world full of barriers
my dad gave me hope
in a world full of strangers
my dad gave me kinship
in a world full of dirtiness
my dad gave me soap

he taught me syntax, grammer, meter and rhyme
he taught me the value of money and time
he taught me morality, he did more than his best
he showed me a reality with which I'm still impressed

and he did it for love
not for reward
he did it for me
and now that love is stored

in an airtight container
indelibly etched
on a delicate psyche
weaved into each breath

his love's lodged in my heart
in a tender cavern that's swelling
and how large that love'll grow
God knows, there's no telling

you see, father was my first friend
he set standards no one can match
our love goes back for lifetimes
and love's the one thing time can't snatch

I only wish I could show him,
just how much I care
and assure him that wherever I am,
he will always be there

for father was my first friend
and friends like him are never forgotten
father is a true friend
and true friendship is so important!!!

(Please) Don't Do The Dozens

Don't do the dozens
who taught you that?
the dozens are worse than
if you just spat

in the face of your ancestors
your mom and your dad
I don't care how many
drinks that you had

and I don't care how many
brothers done did it:
if they had one ounce of sense
they'd have shut up and hid it

the dozens destroy
it's a worn out tradition
they're the reason we haven't
secured any position

we're lyricists, creative geniuses
and so imaginative
we've got thoughts, words and deeds
so much love to give

but if we can't respect ourselves
then who will respect us?
that's why I'm buckin' this tired system
and puttin' up a fuss

we don't need no more dozens
twosomes are what we need
like way back in the Motherland
when we were extended family

we don't need no more dozens
One Love is what we need
cause mutual respect's the real equation
by which we'll all succeed!

 

A Brooklyn-born writer, Ms. Cannon's previous book was an oral history anthology titled: PARK SLOPE: IT'S PEOPLE IT'S PAST. She presently lives on the West Coast, and is a member of San Diego's African American Writers and Artists.

Makeda is also a talented singer and is available for book signings and vocal work.