The Torch

When I think about all those who came before me

Those who prayers were that I succeed

Even when the chains of slavery weighed their own hands down

They still lifted them up for me

To know their dream was that I be free

The echoes of their words live in my heart

Saying you can make it, you can do it

I dig down deep and say yes, I can make it

Where you couldn’t, I will 

I will take the torch you given me 

And run towards my destiny

No longer looking behind me

No longer clinging to thoughts of defeat 

I will take this torch and light up the path before me 

Running towards the land of the free 

I will bring others with me

Who were also in slavery

Burning away the chains of poverty,

the chains of hurtful words,

the chains of sickness,

the chains of brokenness.

I will use what you have given me

To set them free. 

I pray also that God gives me the strength 

To do what must me done 

To do what’s hard to do 

To stand tall when others bow

For I am but mere flesh

And sometimes this body get weary

But those sweet words of “I can make it”, “I can do it” come to my ear

And I wipe away a streak of tears 

And continue on the path set out before me

Until I reach my destiny.