Must have been

Must have been

about third grade

when I first believed

I could massage Genie

make her breathe.

I imagined, often dreamed

she could fulfill

secrets and wishes

hidden in a Maxwell House can

still.

Must have been

about sixth grade or so

I started singing like Elvis

playing my Gene Autry guitar

not truly understanding

“Don’t Be Cruel”

but the girls loved it

thought I was so cool.

Must have been

in ’64

I heard the blues

Miss Nina Simone

” Don’t let me be misunderstood “

and I knew

what it meant

for the lyrics struck my heart

prompting me to begin writing poetry

and now you know

why I pen.