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Honoring Antwoyn E.King
 Antwoyn King, a Power
of Hope youth participant, passed away in the early morning of
January 22, 2008 in a car crash that took his life. He was born
September 29, 1990 into a loving family. The Power of
Hope community was blessed to have Antwoyn attend Camp Kirby in
August of 2007. Antwoyn served and enlightened the entire camp
community with his authenticity, compassionate heart, courage,
humor, and kindness. He modeled leadership with his actions to stand
in his truth, to support and befriend others, and to grow. We are
sad that he is no longer here – and we are incredibly
thankful for the generosity and wisdom he gave the world before he
passed on.
The Antwoyn E. King Memorial
Celebration will be held on February 22nd at
6pm at the
Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in West Seattle.
4408 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106
Click
HERE for a personal invitation from from Stephany & Rajnii.
If you would like to come but
cannot, you are also welcome to send us writings, artwork, or
whatever it is you would like us to share at the memorial.
Directions to Youngstown can be found at:
http://youngstownarts.org/contact_us/driving_directions
Contact: Devon Little
Power of Hope Seattle office
206-938-6090
devon@powerofhope.org
To Antwoyn
What is it that shines through the human
form, our flesh?
What is it that animates us each?
And is this essence-spirit the same,
only showing up differently
due to the color of the vase holding the
water?
Or,
is each portion of Essence unique unto
itself, a divine portion from the dinner plate of God,
with some singular taste that shapes the
vessel itself?
Yes, I think,
and so it is this Essence that shows up,
and yes--leaves us at some sad time.
But does this essence die, or even fade?
It cannot, for as Einstein said:
that animating energy cannot be lost, it
can only change form.
And while maggots and earthworms devour
the flesh,
the animating energy flies on, back into
realms that must be and are,
yet cannot be fully named or known,
back to the Mystery, the source of
creativity itself.
So though it shocks and saddens me, it does not surprise me
that one so young and strong and boldly
creative--I mean:
freestyles with rabid ravenous soul
bursting forth
like blooms of long-waiting frustrated
flowers,
fearless fountains of leadership and
support of others--
should demand to move on, to ever try
something new,
to put itself back into the lottery of
God's paint-set, dancing
and watching for the next divine form.
So I know this now:
that you, Antwoyn, are not gone from us;
you are with us more than ever, because
you no longer
are confined to some frail body form,
but have rejoined the winds of mystery,
and now sail
effortlessly through a realm that knows
no limits of space or time.
And therefore you can and do touch us at
any needed moment,
tapping us on the shoulder to turn and
feel the sun,
or lifting our chin to gaze at the
pregnant moon.
Now you are--at least for a while--
a part of the God or Goddess who
beseeches us:
Live!
While you try on these human clothes,
this perfect little costume,
why not have fun?
Why not rile up the whole costume party
into the direction that seems divine to
you?
Or would you instead just sit in the
corner,
crying and loathing because your costume
isn't as pretty or cool
as someone else's?
No my friend, I hear you say,
Don't waste this,
this chance to get down.
Let who you are behind and before the
costume
explode into the world, and thereby
change the world--
forever.
For we are not our costumes, though they
are vehicle
for our fun, world-changing work.
As your Essence, Antwoyn, once told me
through your
beautiful yet temporary costume:
"Your skin is white, but you're black.
Man, behind that skin is SOUL."
We are not our costumes,
but while we got 'em,
while we're at this costume party and
all dressed up--
we'd better dance.
- Evan McGown, 2.1.2008
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