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