Artist: Activist – Rehearsing for the Revolution
I was recently invited to submit Luna and her beloved Sol, my poetic short story/myth, to the publication, Artist: Activist – Rehearsing For The Revolution, by editor, Joi M. Sears. I am honored and humbled that my poetry was selected for the Spring 2010 issue. This issue celebrates the diverse artistic methodology and cultural politic of artists from around the world. Click the images or link below to view/read the entire issue.
Click to launch the full edition in a new window.
Editor: Joi M. Sears
Visit Theater for the Free People for submissions and more info.
black fists
fists of ebony raised and aimed at heaven
courageous act in the face of hate
our bredren
statement made
quiet display of rage
bold print written on history’s page
on this day
on world’s stage
at these games
without hesitation shining spotlight on ill nation
echoes of drum beasts, these brave athletes
triumphant moment, yet bittersweet
other brothers scattered in retreat
rebellion defeated? uprising ceased?
sacrifices and prices paid
upon returning to this racist place
america, they raced for her
only to return to closed doors and slurs
land of the free, home of the enslaved
paradoxical punishment
for hand and arm’s movement
as if they committed the greatest sin
but ah…you see…quite the contrary
the Creator smiled on these souls of meek
on men who shouted without speaking
strong calm
in the midst of revolutionary commotion
waves in the change of our people’s ocean
we salute you brave brothas
and so does Africa…our mother
© Speaks Beliefs, 2009. All rights reserved
hate don’t rest on sundays
hate don’t rest on sundays
in fact on sunday is when hate is most holy
crashing into crazies on church floors
chaos on sabbath is hate’s bliss
ignorance and divisiveness
dismissive to souls of consciousness
love is our weapon against hate’s fist
now you say my skin makes you scared
when really it is the tears you packed away in your pain
that makes you feign love
our melanin, first in eden’s garden
to hate our hue is to hate those that came before you
you are me, but too blind to see reality
and for this reason i will leave you where you started
afraid of the power of four letters
with nothing left to do but chew colors
hate don’t rest on sundays
let the church say…amen
to the men who don’t wear their color like badges
or use isms like snatches of stolen sugar from slave plantations
© Crystal Belle and Speaks Beliefs, 2009. All rights reserved.
A Dope Poets Society Collaboration
Asa’s Wish
empower the genius that lives within
unlock her talent and intelligence
enlighten his psyche with knowledge key
mediocrity, her enemy
satisfactory, his adversary
be supportive, her pursuits are inquisitive
dynamic his gifts, remember this
take notice, her thoughts are precious
theirs is the quest of the curious
with love, edify, serve as learning guide
educate their beautiful young minds
without you, their bright lights will dim
teach, reach the brilliance in all children
empower the genius that lives within
this was Asa’s wish…
© Speaks Beliefs, 2009. All rights reserved.
“I have never encountered any children in any group who are not geniuses. There is no mystery on how to teach them. The first thing you do is treat them like human beings and the second thing you do is love them.” ~Dr. Asa Hilliard
Luna and her beloved Sol
© Regina Agu (click image to see more)
let us travel back for this tale
to a time of continuous dark-hued skies
illuminated by countless dots of ivory flame
love lives here
shared by Sol and his dearest Luna
passionate is their existence
she delights in his strength
and he adores her tender touch
every occasion, occupied by elation
without pause is their joy
during one brief moment shared
they lay together gazing at small ivory flames
Sol glances at she who enjoys their light
enchanted by her peace
he begins to wonder and ponder
“if i possess this flame,
her love will forever be mine”
another soul resides in this place, consumed by hate
the trickster Comētēs, jealous and envious
unhappy is the sister of Luna
nemesis of their love, their bliss
aggravated by every union of their lips
love’s demise, her only wish
during later occasion shared by lovers, Luna proclaims
“an exchange! a giving of gifts
to celebrate our love, our bliss”
suggestion to her beloved Sol
“an expression of our affection!” he responds
with lasting embrace, she reflects his joy, and he, her jubilation
departing, with plans to reunite, and give
excitement of Sol soon turns to uncertainty and worry
“i know not what to give my love…”
hearing this, Comētēs approaches her nemesis
“my darling brother, you know what she desires,
look above to remember this”
gazing into dotted sky he shouts, “ah yes! the flame, the fire!
but such a thing is beyond my reach”
Comētēs then declares, “not for me, i will take you to light you seek”
plans unfold for divisive wish of nemesis
they approach an ivory light, the flame now blinding
warmth becomes heat, and Comētēs speaks
“dance on fire to become the flame,
and eternal love, you will gain”
without hesitation, Sol’s movement on light, ignites
he is now her gift of ivory flame
“take me back to my dearest Luna,
this gift will grant me Love eternal!”
Comētēs must mask her joy and amusement
they return to the place they once departed
with no knowledge of the plan Comētēs devised
Luna approaches with gift of white cumulus
Sol, also approaching, proud of his ivory fire
“I have become what you most desire,
I am now flame, embrace my light”
as bodies move closer, Luna’s joy turns to fright
“My love, your strength was once my delight
but now, you are powerful and potent flame,
wait… my love, i am tender
and as i approach, your fire…oh…”
she faints, Sol’s bright flame unbearable
horrified, he takes steps in reverse, aware of his curse
…Luna awakens
tears, falling from face, received by cumulus
cloud becomes heavy, a load she can no longer carry
she releases her lover’s gift
and cumulus falls
releasing her tears during descent
Comētēs no longer masks her pleasure
“Finally, you will no longer be together!”
lovers’ elation is now desolation and despair
the end of their physical love affair
Sol, enraged, sets flame to mane
of she that causes love’s great pain
and hurls her into the dark hue, never to return again
tragic, this love affair
his gift, with intent to please her spirit
the disastrous source, the end, to long embraces
now spirits reside in separate spaces
he dwells in days, and she lives in nights
yet, connection they will share eternally
for when Sol sets, to protect his delicate Luna
she reflects his light…
© Speaks Beliefs, 2009. All rights reserved.
jungle of concrete
jungle of concrete
where streets meet glass that scrapes sky
beautiful towers piercing through cumulus
contrasted by section eight housing units
busy pavement of the jungle valley
vehicles of mass transit, luxury, and taxi
making connections at intersections
from trip’s inception
to rush hour gridlocked rubbernecking
here, nature is intentional, yet minimal
and postcards promoting city’s skyline
are designed to hide and isolate ghetto behind
here, dreams are encouraged and flourish
and others blurred and deferred, malnourished
here, white collars chase bonus and options of stock
and hustlers holla, chasing fiends, pushing crack rock
and at night, socialites vie for limelight
while others are declined, forced to decide:
“do I pay for lights, or eat tonight?”
where one man’s shine correlates to another man’s plight
beautiful city of bright illuminated lights
where jealous ones envy their neighbor’s station
causing competition, leading to ill gotten gains and sin
here, the successful thrive, while countless others…
struggle to survive
in this beautiful and tragic…
jungle of concrete
© Speaks Beliefs, 2009. All rights reserved.
February’s Shackles
with 6 comments
Written by Speaks Beliefs
February 3, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Posted in African Diaspora, History, Social Commentary, Spoken Word