I am composed of matter,

Consciousness, fury, pain,

Loneliness, triumphant, envy,

Shame.

I am the dawning of a new age

I am the solstice peak

I am an author, I am rage

I am not afraid to speak.

I am the son of creation

I am the reflection on the sea at night

I am the Prince of a fallen nation

Who is struggling to reclaim what's right.

I am positive, over negative

Divided by simple logic and stats

I am amazing, I am grace

I am a father, in fact.

I am a walking medley of songs

Everyday that I play, it's a gift

From the depth of my soles

To the very soul of my lips.

I am more than a figment of your imagination

I am perfection; not achieved,

A son of God

Twice conceived.

I am a body of invention

In a silhouette bound by customs, limitations and beliefs

So I stand before you a Man

Derived of nothing more than imitation and speech.

Excerpt from ARCHIVES OF A BLACK MAN

by Antonio Moses 2010