I am quiet
with less to say
I am beginning and the end
I am history and present
I am humble
and I am proud
I am desert, I am river, I am silent, I am loud.
And I know you, the Poet Of Harlem,
even though I just heard a few words.
And my soul grows deep like The River
and I know you from the first.
And my soul grows deep like The River
and I feel it 'till it hurts.
I have a mask
upon my wall.
The more I look the less I see
I had to wait for it to fall
to bring my mask
to life for me.
Though I am Culture, I look young
I am electric, highly strung.
And I know you, the Poet of Harlem,
even though I just heard a few words.
And my soul grows deep like The River
and I know you from the first.
And my soul grows deep like The River
and I feel it 'till it hurts.
Jools Parker