On Your Journey
By Vernon “vee” Comer
2007
how would they describe what you have done
would they speak of battles you’ve lost as well as the victories you’ve won
those who’ve worked for you, present and past
what would they say to describe your legacy
would they say that you are fair and reasonable
a consummate professional, not getting caught up in minutia and mess
leading by example, exhorting your charges to always be their best
would they speak of your tenacity and your persistence
your ability to nurture and demand accountability
even when you had to agree to disagree and part company
you always respected their dignity
would they say that when you had challenges
even when death made untimely visits to your family
your grace under the strain, the ability to maintain
in the midst of adversity
on those bad days you were strong
and on those good days you were happy, happy, happy
would they speak of your love for family
especially your heart of hearts, India
how you cherish your special time with your loved ones
and encourage others to do the same
to have a life outside of work
would they say how you love the holiday season
if for no other reason than to gather with family and friends
to go shopping and spend, spend, spend
would they speak of your love for quilting
creating memories and mementos
of, by, and for those who have impacted you
by what they say and do
I say yes and amen, on your journey
You have dispatched your office with integrity
You are a star despite your humility
Thank you Clara Ford and Evora Hicks
For endowing this woman with an indomitable spirit
of Godliness, goodness and grace
Created for O.V. Brantley
Retirement Reception, Fulton County Attorney July 19, 2007
The quilt shown with this poem is called “From Africa to Atlanta By Way of Arkansas.” It, too, is autobiographical. It is a memory quilt that is #1/100 in a series of quilts I created called the African Canvas Memory Quilt series. You can view most of the quilt in the series at http://www.africancanvasquilts.blogspot.com.
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