WOMAN

This is another poem written during The Power of Language workshop lead by Kayo Chingonyi, as part of the Acts of Rebellion event at October Gallery. And inspired by the image of Brittany Newsome, who climbed up a flagpole in South Carolina and pulled down the Confederate Flag, as she was being arrested.

Woman so brave

brings down the confederate flag

Woman so brave.

Like the carved statue

on the prow of a ship,

breast exposed

to the storm and the stones

That the centuries have seen

poured

over your blood and your race.

As white officers,

agents of hate

come punctual to your arrest

you remain entirely yourself

acrobat of the skies

free bird that

was dreamt by the slaves

Pendulum Dance

I wrote this poem during the Power of Language workshop , lead by poet Kayo Chingonyi , as part of the Acts of Rebellion event so beautifully organized by October Gallery Education

At school I was

Neither Blonde, nor blue eyed
and butter melted in my mouth.

Could not blend nor fit in

So I decided to be bad.

It caused me conflict

That pendulum dance

Between being very god

And very bad.

Spit, bite, curse, kick

“Such and angry little girl!”

Dishonored many

Of the Commandments.

No one would recognize me

On the first day of May

Bringing flowers to the Virgin

Writing notes to the almighty

Swearing to atone for my sins

Family tragedies guilty

Burdens on my shoulders

Or later crying my eyes out

In the middle of a party

Because boys danced

With...guess...

Blue eyed girls

Girls with tameable hair

Girls with sweet voices

With perfect smiles

Girls who didn’t swear

or smoked pot

In the dark.

And so I grew to learn and master

The Pendulum Dance

Unashamedly me...

Sometimes

In fact I’ve apologized all my life

Black among Whites

White among Blacks

Finally free

From The influence

Of macho seductive eyes

Fuck! I am who I am.