The Greatest of All Time

Mohammed Ali left the world

            One year ago

The greatest of all time is gone

Mohammed Ali held the world

In his hands

The greatest of all time, lives on

I heard the news of his passing 

I woke in the middle of the night

I heard the news of his passing

I listened to the stories and cried

Ali, the greatest of all one has died

Of all the heroes I ever fell for

He was the one that was truly alive

The only one I ever prayed for

The only one I thought

Could make a difference in our time.

Mohammed Ali spoke to the heart

            Of everyone

About justice, freedom, he told the truth

Showed us love.

He spoke to the world, as he fought

            For everyone

In rhythms that dazzled, words that hurt

            He floated

                        He stung

Like the butterfly, and the bee

            Symbols of his fame

He struck the powers of the world

            Bumaye

He was a prophet in our time

He praised, and he scolded

He was sharp tongued in his youth

A silent witness as he aged

I remember the day in 1980

I heard the news that he lost

Mohammed Ali lost!

Ali would never fight again!

Kids on the bus they murmured

Ali was not the greatest of all

The world stopped making sense.

Mohammed Ali gave my generation

Permission

We could be ourselves, be bold, and brag

            Be good, do right

Mohammed Ali taught us to question

Challenge authority, shun war

Risk the things you desire most

Give up titles, and money, and fame

Let them go for things that matter most

Ali taught us to serve the truth, seek justice

Do good

As long as you draw breath, the greatest

            Of all time

Mohammed Ali handcuffed lightning

He jailed thunder

His star rose like the sun

It has set

and will never be forgotten

2017.06.04

Given First (as an essay) - 2016.06.04