The Captain (spoken word poetry)

A spoken word poem and tribute to Dr. Willis Kirk by Steven Kirk with Brian Kirk on drums

It’s rough seas,
but the Captain said “Sail on”
It’s rough seas
but the captain said “Sail on”
Waves are rising
Wind and hail in the storm
It’s rough seas
but the captain said “Sail on”
Willis Kirk

Adversity in the worst of conditions
Willis K with my focus
No lack of black ambition
Fill his faith in my heart
As I finish my mission
A patriarch of leadership
Held the key to ignition
They tried to hinder his vision
Tried to cripple his wisdom
He don’t belong in their system
Rather have him imprisoned
But see Willis was different
His will was too vigilant
God as his witness
He’d fight till the final inches

He was the coolest customer
a real OG
The epitome of a hustler
Learned the beat from the streets
The harmony of heartbreak
Melody from the meek
Lifted me from the darkness
And helped me to my feet
He trusted my dedication
He’d never let me retreat
Even if I don’t understand
And or if I felt weak
When the world would fall around me
This is all he would speak
“Keep on Keeping On Steve,
and you’ll find what you seek”

I used to fear myself
My own direction
The fear of failure
and material perfection
In pursuit of wealth and
In need of correction
I had a man of a great stature
He show me perspective
How blessed was I
To have my grandfather
Be a literal legend
A man of class, honor
Love and true affection
All of us have felt his joy
And his wonderful presence
A mentor to so many
Left us so many lessons
He said,
It’s rough seas
But the captain said “sail on”
It’s rough seas
But the captain said “sail on”
As we battle the waves
They may wear us thin
So we reach out to others
And find strength from within
Oceans knock us down, but we’ll continue to swim
Because the sea is no match
When you put faith in Him

It’s rough seas,
But the captain said, “Sail On.”
It’s rough seas,
But the captain said “sail on”
Waves are rising
Wind and hail in the storm
It’s rough seas
but my Grandpops said “sail on.”