By Denise Kingdom-Grier – [originally presented in spoken word]

This is my story

All glory to the one who came first – stayed last

the future and the past

the story of my neighborhood

as I stood two steps behind

he who turned water into wine —

 

I walk 2 steps behind

 

white tops and black pants and a story that’s true

hey young ones what are you going to do

taking your stroll at ¼ to 8 – don’t be late

 

make your mark at VR

 

cause you gotta go far when you wear that white and black

2 steps behind Him

 

2 steps behind 17th street

trash talking, name callin finger pointin

they’re just ballin’

and stallin from sun up to sun down dribble juke pass around

cause this is your court and this is his town

 

the one who walks two steps ahead

 

of the door that swings open and shut

 

as she comes with a cup for food for alms

quivering palms to give not to get with forgiveness no regret

cause she can never forget how the water felt on her brow and the story of how her sins were washed away

so she came back to say– I’m still following Him

 

Her story—his song- praising the savior the whole day long

Monday thru Friday

Sunday and Sabbath day

open and shut the doors of the store, church , house

to mothers mourning

fathers born in

to church clothes and class rolls

one friend one foe

 

as we run, skip, walk two steps behind

 

row after row

of varying hues standing accused of breaking the color code

praying prayers across the road

is the little old lady who sat with me in her alienation offered a conversation

that lead to our liberation—

 

in my neighborhood– my story for His glory– two steps– one if I could- walking behind

Jesus in this neighborhood.