THAT IS WHAT I DO

If there is animosity in our family or community

I sing loving songs of satire or ridicule

As a purge

To ease family pain and sorrow

It is my place, my honor to compose or borrow

A blues lament and a wailing dirge

In addition to the historical, personal and topical

I sing songs of the religious, the cosmic, 

the philosophical to rhythms and melodies we all know

And, if a situation calls for a song of praise and glory, 

with your permission I will tell your heroic family story.

I am a poet this is what I do

©CamilleYarbrough