The tall
Black man
steps
into
the light

Waves of emotion
join
the clamor
of undying
devotion

A sea
of thunderous acclaim
salutes
his spirit
his wife
and daughters

Moved
beyond
belief
he tastes
the sweetness
of a victory
he humbly
offers
to the People

His heart
filled with sorrow
smiles
a tender smile
of love
gratitude

Amidst
a sea of tears
and heartfelt pride
people
of all creeds
and colors
celebrate
a new beginning
experience
the power
of transformation
break
the glass ceiling
that shackled
the minds
of many generations
in this country
of immigrants
built by slaves

Barack Obama
asks
for help
for patience
agrees
to listen
to act
with honesty
and sober wisdom
resolves
to continue
the struggle
past the confines
of time
into
a healing future
of hope

-- Nancy Lorenza Green, November 5, 2008

***

Nancy Lorenza Green, M.Ed. is an Afro-Chicana performance and recording artist from El Paso and Cd. Juarez who uses poetry, percussion instruments and flute music as mediums of communication and cultural expression. Nancy has recorded three cds: Music From the Heart, Life Is Sacred, and a Tumblewords poetry compilation. Her poetry has been published in Border Senses, Chrysalis, Newspaper Tree, and Mujeres de Maíz Zine 5& 6. Nancy is the recipient of the 2006 Art & Entertainment Hispanos Triunfadores award and the 1999 Que Bonita Familia Homenaje a la Mujer award.