Plant A Seed by Maxine Amaiah Taylor

Clarity and conviction, married and abundant,

Their unflinching extended palms,

Truly, a gentle balm softens

Years,

Of unheard “we are here! We are here!”’s.

They ask

“Who are you?” and “Who will you be?”

Suffocated by hand-me-down patterns?

Or

Will you set yourself free?

Three strikes you’re out,

Ten strikes your gold

Flip the script as you’re playing

Change the game

Not your soul.

Spare no expense in trying.

Strive for greatness.

Glory.

Legacy.

Strive!

You have four hands and more to lift you,

assist you.

Believe in you.

Through false starts, forfeits, failures.

The Clemons have got you.

Nourished and knocked down,

Both can be true.

Allow yourself to be resurrected, revived;

By clarity, conviction, faith and truth

The Pinball Foundation requests your presence 

in the ring for round two.

Great things come in pairs,

Two days at a time turned 41 years.

We are safe in the shade of their freedom tree.

Planted 20 years of yesterdays ago

By their four hands;

How do we thank you for your legacy?

The Clemons.

The Pinball Foundation.

We stand on their shoulders.

Giants.

All they ask is we reach for more.

Stand taller, fly higher

Bring back more than the stars

Bring back the moon.

For those who come next,

Plant a seed.