Graduation Speech: Pomp And Circumstance

Girrrll, did you hear that?
That’s a mean keyboard funk line in Pomp and Circumstance
Yeah, Joe put a sweet downbeat in the upright processional
Pomp and Circumstance celebrated with culture

You know our celebration would not be complete
Without a little touch of cultural class
It was there, subtle - not overt
Fingers kissing treasured chords
Dancing across the traditional keyboard

Thank you for the joy you jammed into this special day
You wove wonder with wisdom
In your own inimitable way
Gave the waves of caps and gowns
Electrifying energy
In the heat of the day

Written during a graduation ceremony at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, L.A., as the incredibly humble, ingenious, Director of Music, Professor Joseph Williams

Dedicated to the memory and appreciation of my Mama - Aljeane Brown Burleson: Mama, Nana, Ms. Aljeane, Auntie, sister, cousin, counselor, friend and extra mom to many. As it grew close to Mother’s Day, a year after Mama made her transition; I was driving in LA and was so overtaken by tears I had to pull off the road. As soon as I got home, I sat down and this soothing poem came from that wonderful place called, ‘somewhere.’ Later, it became my first video