First Day of School

“The First Day of School”

See the fireworks and imaginary confetti fill the sky,

As two black boys take flight to their first day of school;

In the same class on adjacent stools

There eyes locked, and there was an immediate sense of connection between the two.

Filled with black boy joy about the occasion

Pre School, kindergarten

First grade,  Second grade

All the world a glee about the first day of school

“What’s up bro! My name is Hasan.”

“That’s a cool name, my name is Kareem”

So amazing that they love some of the same things.

Same favorite color, green

Same favorite show on the tv screen.

Wasn’t long before there was a spat between Hasan and Kareem.

Couldn’t seem to agree on whose dad was king.

With point after point, the comparisons began

Kareem said, “My dad’s so big he made the world.”

Hasan said, “Oh Yeah?!, my dad’s so big he saved the world.”

Kareem wanted to show Hasan a picture of his dad.

Common practice among boys their age

Like twins they clutched the crucifixes that hung underneath their shirts.

Their senses heightened and minds alert,

It was the first day of school when they learned that they had the same dad.

Couldn’t have seen it with the finest of optics;

that Kareem and Hasan were adopted.

“Our Father” is the way of life in their new school.

From fatherless to “Our Father.”

What a miracle to find the Father in the Son on the first day of school.