Jeff for America

Friday was orientation.

It was a get-to-know you kind of day with a lot of name exchanges. We talked about the program, it’s structure and met with the work group I’ll be primarily matched with for the summer. A good group of folks. I’m excited about all the prospects, or as a friend once said, the fluttering of possibilities. They are everywhere.

In an especially Berkeley moment, the director of our program read from a Nikki Giovanni poem, from the book Those Who Ride the Night Wind.

I liked it and wanted to share.

It’s a journey that I propose.

I have heard from previous visitors

the road washes out sometimes

and passengers are compelled

to continue going or turn back.

I am not afraid.

I am not afraid of rough spots

or lonely times.

I don’t fear the success of this endeavor.

I promise you nothing.

I accept your promise of the same.

We are simply riding a wave

that may carry or crash.

It’s a journey

and I want

to go.

- Jeff