My father had a really rough life. And everything he accomplished, took a lot out of him.
He never gave up, he kept moving forward. That means a lot to me — because I think I’m the same way.
His name was Clarence Ezekiel Block and he was a Golden Gloves boxer, born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas. He moved to San Francisco in his early adulthood, and he lived in Bayview-Hunters Point. Everybody knew him.
And he was very interesting. He was a sensitive, loving person, but not everyone saw him that way — kind of like how people see me.
In his mid-30s, he started writing poetry. That was when he really began learning about himself and looking at the world with openness, and feeling it.
He wrote a book of poetry. It’s titled Block’s World — if you want a copy, you can buy one here. I’d like to share two of its poems with you. The book was first published in 1975 but its words are just as relevant today, especially so near to Juneteenth.
THE FLOWER IN ME is a poem about many things, but especially injustice. It’s about the way things have been since the beginning. A lot of Black men feel like they should be ahead, and they always should have been ahead, and that was taken from them.
There’s a very different message in TOGETHER WE: We’re all connected, and we’re all brothers and sisters. There’s good in every race, every culture. There’s something that can be shared.
Both of these poems are true. That’s what’s so hard about the world.
Cheryl Block Shanks is a San Francisco native and member of the Tenderloin community, and the founder of SoulStation, a new soul food restaurant coming to the neighborhood in August. Find out more at nclfinc.org/soulstation.
THE FLOWER AND ME
Walking up the narrow trail That seems to lead To the top of the world… It seems that I’ve Been walking for hours So, I stop to gather my breath.
Looking back behind me at the world that I’ve left behind — For a minute — And now I’m walking again Up, up… Wow I thought I’d never get to the top. It’s so peaceful… Nothing and no one is here, But I can see everyone Better from here.
There’s a flower blooming, leaning as if it’s listening to the cries of the world Hello, flower — Can I sit beside you? I see that you’re looking at them, down there, Do you see that chimney With the smoke coming out of the top? That’s fire inside That makes the smoke. You know fire keeps you warm. It also kills, Like burning you up.
You see that creature down there, That a white man, Yeah He runs everything down there…
Power-stricken, Survival-mad, He has a heart… But most of the time it’s cold.
That’s a black man, in back of him: You see he’s running, He’s trying to catch the white man but he’s leaving too many roadblocks for him to move… That black dude Wants to catch him, and pass him, So, he can take over… That white dude been running things as long as anyone can remember. And it’s working, In a not-working form…
Cheryl Block Shanks (red) poses with friends and copies of her father’s book.
Say flower, are you listening to me. You see it was wrote right But performed wrong, Yeah, the idea was fair But it was carried out, unfair… You see that white dude Made the plan, And the black dude Built the masterpiece, But the white dude owns it forever.
And that black dude Is soon forgotten for his efforts… Well, flower, It’s getting cold up here And I guess I’d better Get back down there and join the pack — But I’ll be back some day to see you! You are beautiful And so peaceful. Bye, now, But don’t worry Somebody down there Might get ever’thing straightened out; But it’s still a pretty world.
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I shall walk in the streets Among you my friends, My earthly brothers and sisters, and when you see me — And I you — We shall know each other For you are my image, And I’m yours — For we are of the Creator.
The Creator, whom I should know (But I don’t) I believe — But do I? — Among you my friends I’m like you — But I’m not — I seek the truth, And you are the truth Because you are yourselves My friends, my earthly brothers and sisters
Look at us — We’re White, Black, Brown, Red, Isn’t it beautiful? We are like a bouquet of roses: We are all one, But yet we’re not… That’s the challenge — But yet it’s not.
Because the good flower Will shine It’ll have a universal smile — A smile that’s real — The other flower Shall have no glow… Profitable success it may have but it really won’t.
But now here we are In the streets among each other! For we are truly Earthly brothers and sisters
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From the Foreword of Block’s World
Not so very long ago, I decided to elevate my mind and walk in the path of the people and understand the misunderstood and see the true beauty that lies much deeper than the naked eye can see.
This book is dedicated to my wife Teresa, who worked very hard putting it together, my children, and all my many friends and relatives who helped make this book possible.
Cheryl Block Shanks is a San Francisco native and member of the Tenderloin community, and the founder of SoulStation, a new soul food restaurant coming to the neighborhood in August. Find out more at nclfinc.org/soulstation
