Samuel I. Thompson,
Ismail Abdus Shaheed,
Mr. Sam to me,
A Poet, A Gentleman, A Friend,
We were Pisceans,
Poets,
Blessed with the God given ability to show it,
But Mr. Sam,
You at your best,
Stood above the rest,
Your own man,
Mr. Sam danced to the beat – his own drum,
You dared to be Black – African-American, strong
Of strong intellect, good stock, strong
You gave with unfathomable sincerity,
You dared to care about your fellow man,
Sincere – loving – strong,
You sought to raise consciousness - spirituality,
Through free poetic verse, depth of thought,
universality stood strong,
You strove to better yourself,
Struggled to the top of the stairs,
Like your depth of convictions strong –
not his way yours,

Mr. Sam danced to the beat of his own drum,
Dance on Mr. Sam,
Dance on,