time to reread “from slavery to freedom”

i think i first heard of john hope franklin
in my african diaspora and the world class
my freshwoman year at spelman college.
his book was one of many from that class
that i did not sell back to the bookstore
and which i still have in my small library.
if i hadn’t been so practical,
i might have changed my major.
better yet, he helped to develop
a knowledge, awareness, passion and empowerment
in me and, i’m sure, many others
from the scholar to the lay[wo]man.

1.2.1915 - 3.25.2009
i thank him for his contributions to this world.
from Allah we come and to Him is our return.