First of July

Rev. Akpan Sam Akpan
My father who I called Sir, passed away on July 1st, 1995.
This verse of poetry is dedicated to his memory.

I’d like to tell you a thing about this man I called ‘father.’

Take a seat, cross your legs yeah, make your burdens lighter.

He moved on 20 0dd years ago but still I found no other;

There’s nobody can claim my father’s place no, not ever.

Let me tell you how he gave my story a new vista.

Walk you step by step thru the genius of a master.

I really wish you met him; you’d have been bettered.

He made me the man I am so I can defeat life’s drama.

He was the kind of man who redefined ‘phenomenal.’

A man who stood by his word thru fire and thunder;

Always made time for me; he was there for my brothers.

He was a kind man who never raised his voice at Mama.

I wish you knew the story of the man I called father.

You’d battle lions wearing smiles as wide as summer.

He was the greatest of them all; a true-born soulja.

In him I found my hero, now, always and forever.

Akpan