for Danny Simmons – Rest In Power

Sugah popsicle kindness

Dressed in silk pressed linen

The kind of summer breeze you kidnap in winter

The cracklin’ kind of fire that ignites your wonder

Where ashes and embers become beauty

My ancient friend

Whose spirit I’ve known before

Haunting

Like Christiansborg Castle

Like the souls of black folx

Poured out like libations

Def

Like a Marvin Gaye melody

Or Wu Tang cypher

Brooklyn slick but Philly smooth

Carrying weight but not heavy

Authentic like Basquiat

Vivid like Ginsberg

My heart howls, strange bird

Your new wings make me

wanna holler

Pimpin’ butterflies ain’t never been my thing

But I wish for the sky because nothing is guaranteed

Only love