Good Hope Baptist Church Choir Poem by Luke Easter

Just one piano player that’s how it begins,
A young teen drummer we call D.J.,
Nothing fancy about the area we reside in,
But oh how our choir can sing and play.

At the northwest corner of Central Avenue and East 76,
An inner city Cleveland, Ohio area that needs a little fix,
A neighborhood church for families far and wide,
The Anderson's come from miles away on the east side.

We have the men’s, women’s & youth group,
Cheree, Bertha, Betty, whomever, Addie May,
It just might be harmony from the Deacons,
It doesn’t matter; they all have something to say.

Judy or Una are known to soulfully belt out a song,
Soon the whole church rock’s, it doesn’t take long,
Pastor Bradford will give a shout of My Lord,
Skillfully Cliff arranges his notes and piano chords.

Sisters Mary Greene, Eula Evans and Mary Williams,
Psalms 28: 2, lift the hands while rising from their seats,
Jeanette Bryant will give her infamous battle cry,
As Good Hope swings to and fro with the beat.

Members named Easter and Christmas are in the congregation,
Talk about worship with an inspired spiritual revelation,
Most churches hold these two holidays very near and dear,
While Good Hope represents them 52 weeks a year.

Sister Denise will bust out singing 'Praise Is What I Do',
The whole church joins in as the harmony comes through,
Sabrina and Yvette who sit at my left also stand and shout,
Sunday afternoon at Good Hope, this is what it’s all about.

In the next row up front are two at kindergarten age,
A couple of youngsters going by the names Jalen & R.J.,
Bless the parents, who make sure they always attend,
Even though they’re not quite old enough to comprehend.

Word up, it’s not the size of the ship in the water,
I can tell by the appreciation from my wife and daughter,
Long after the choir is done and hands cease to clap,
You still feel the movement as fingers continuously snap.

Different cities, churches, on television in every state,
Not to be biased but I definitely would not hesitate,
Sizes, shapes, denominations and colors there are many,
I’d proudly put the Good Hope Baptist Choir against any.