She doesn’t sing to win awards,

she sings to breathe life to her soul,

connect with spirits tuning in,

let them know they are not forgotten. 

 

She knows she will have critics

that judge her art lacking. 

Their negativity is nothing she hasn’t

overcome from herself a million times

on her rocky road to freedom.

 

She smiles as the ivory tickles her left palm,

survivors still to listen,

and the crowd cheers her on. 

 

Newscasters overlook this moment

of peace and unity,

but that’s okay,

she will keep on singing anyway.