“Legacy of the Stage: Leon Claxton’s Rhyme” by Leslie Cunningham

(Dedicated to my grandfather Leon Claxton)

In Tampa’s West-side, Leon Claxton held sway,
A wealthy showman, his success on full display.
A lavish home, a shiny sedan so fine,
In the world of entertainment, he’d brightly shine.

Before Simmons, Perry, or P. Diddy’s fame,
Claxton stood tall, making his own name.
Custom-made suits from Saskatoon, cigars from Ybor City’s fold,
A pioneer in showbiz, a story to be told.

Beside him, Gwen, a perfect ride-or-die,
Like Beyoncé to Jay-Z, always by his side.
Managing the home, sealing business deals,
In the realm of showbiz, where success reveals.

At Southern stations, racism’s cruel face,
“No gas for you, nigger!” a degrading disgrace.
As a chauffeur, he’d navigate the lie,
A survival tactic in a segregated sky.

A Black Shriner noble, in Harram 23’s reign,
Handshakes, rituals, and a Masonic gain.
Brotherly love, aiding the needy’s plea,
In building a city, a legacy for all to see.

Cypress Street’s motel, a symbol so strong,
A leader in the community, where he belonged.
Amidst social change and revolutionary stage,
Claxton’s troupe fought from the main stage.

In the turmoil of rights, where voices clashed,
Claxton soared, showbiz heights amassed.
“Harlem in Havana,” breaking racial chains,
A multicultural movement, flowing through our veins.

Through Jim Crow’s grip, his tale held tight,
A ‘Jig Show’ legend, in carnival’s light.
Leon Claxton’s journey, a legacy so grand,
A showman’s story, still echoing across the land.

(2017)

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