Thank the Beat You Gave

thank you
for keeping me on your mind
even when your mind is too busy

thank you
for keeping me in your heart
even at times when you feel like you’re on empty

thank you
for taking me in your luggage across seas
even if none of your bags fit me

thank you
when deadlines come near thin lines
and clear lines may blur lines because crossed lines are conflicting
but you still proceed and not see me as an affliction
entangling attention, intension, and interests amidst limits

thank you
for taking me across country with you
across the world with you, even answering calls, emails and even daring to request a visit

thank you
for bearing my intensity genuinely
reciprocating authenticity and not the scorn of indifference

thank you
for having a life and making me a part of it
embracing my artistic revisions of being submerged in the trenches

thank you
for knowing I’m not much for the Hollow-days
but caring enough to inquire through each New Year to Christmas

thank you
for trusting me with the truth
and not capitulating to fears of letdowns unintended

thank you
for being a critic just as I am a critic
but having a heart big enough to help and overcome being a cynic

thank you
for helping to continue how I value
and perceive the value of women

thank you
for including me in each transformative moment
and each transcendent monetarily invested minute

thank you
when you choose to sound off like a siren
and not damper the connection to the effect of a grimace

thank you
for pictures, not many
but being in the blind while creative, you know the power of an image

thank you
for knowing that you may never get it
because that’s why and how you get it
and keep making a difference
and continue making me different
respecting the fact and the feats that makes me different
because your heart makes all the difference
and this is why I believe we’ll make a difference

so who is my thank you to?
my Give-a-beat team/network who has all been in it with me
thanks for redefining the limits
despite the distance
knowing I had nothing to give you
but thanks for giving
a beat of grace is the reason I’m living
an unforeseen family found while in prison