What is it to be a Black woman?

I wrote this poem, and originally was torn as to switch certain words with the words following it in the (). But after comments from several women that I know, I will present the poem as is. I hope you enjoy it.


What is it to be a Black woman?

Am I just the embodiment of sweets come to life
the toffee, chocolate, and caramel in walking form?
Are my ample curves just objects of ridicule, envy, and fantasy?

Oh I am all of that and more

I can be strong without muscle
enough to bring a man to his knees with a look or word
enough to raise a child to an adult
enough to defy corporate edicts of anorexia

I can be soft
so gentle as to cry to a love song
so humble as to follow my mates lead
so warm as to heat the coldest of hearts

But I am a tigress, fighting to claim a land that is not mine
I am a soldier fighting injustice and -isms in all forms
I seduce as no other mother could, and care like no mistress ever will (can comprehend)

A Black woman cannot be bound -
not by chains or laws or seats on a bus
not by pay scales and job titles and masculinity

I am a whirlwind of passion and love
shielding those I cherish
crushing those that oppose me

Yet I am weary of the 24/7 fight
scenery in a movie, commodity in history, isolated in pop culture, rebuffed by sisters of the moon

Still I move forward undeterred in my quest
my man has broken chains and defied masses
my child has beaten the odds and circumstances
my mind balances economy, diplomacy, and strategy in a glance (flash)

My inventions win no patents
yet fill bellies and provide shelter and imbue strength

All of this... yet I am more
I am the lioness to my lion, the council to my leader, the accountant to my bank
and when I chose so I am all of it by myself

What is it to be a Black woman?
It is to be a sun that some bathe in and others flee
It is to be the roar of a mouse and the raindrops of thunder (lightning)

I am Pharaoh and Temptress and Mother and Vixen
I am what others must purchase to compare

Yet most of all... I am Eve and Lillith and Life


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Poetry night

Poetry is an art that is often considered an old-fashioned idea. Something that belongs in the era of the Middle Ages, or to the turn of the 20th century. But such a view would be incorrect.

Every Thursday in Binghamton, New York, at the Belmar Bar and on various days in cities actross the nation there are poetry nights. Open mike events where new and established writers gather to share their thoughts and emotions with those that are interested. It's more than a fad, it's a trend that has been growing and surging among those in college as well as regular older adults as well.

Recently I was at the Belmar Bar in Binghamton to listen to the poets at the open mike. Some of those that stepped up to the mike were part of the Binghamton University Poetry Slam, others were just students, and still more were just fans. Overall it was an interesting night of styles and forms of poetry and presentation that brought new meaning to what many think is poetry and/or how it might sound.

I have already presented one poet, Khamal, who read one of my more popular poems - I Rejoice In Me. But there were more than a dozen other poets at the Belmar Bar that Thursday night. I present a couple of those artists for your consideration.

[I note that the low lighting, for the mood, made it difficult to get clear video. Please bare with me on that and hear how and what was said.]

Justin


Khamal


Jimmy


There were many others that were equally as good as the above. I hope to have a chance to present them as well in the future. More importantly, let your inner voice sound out.

If you have a poem you would like to share, come down after 9pm on Thursday to the Belmar (if you are in Binghamton or the surrounding area). Or het on Youtube, or just write. Poetry deserves to live with your voice, and it will if you let it.


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Poetry reading: I Rejoice In Me

I will be presenting videos by the Binghamton University Poetry Slam team shortly, but I wanted to start off with a bonus I had from the reading at the Belmar bar. After the Slam had finished, Khamal [pronounced KHA-mal] took the opportunity to read one of my favorite poems that I wrote a few years back.

Some of you may have already read my poem I Rejoice In Me on my poetry section of this blog. For others this will be the first time. I hope you all enjoy it, as I think Khamal's reading is very close to the thoughts I had as I wrote it.



I realize that the lighting is not optimal. The Poetry Slam was lit a bit darker to add to the atmosphere of the event. But while visually it may not have the impact, the words are the most important I believe.

For those interested in learning more about the poetry slam, or interested in taking part, you can come down to the Belmar Bar in Binghamton NY on Thursday after 9pm. Most nights are open mike and everyone is welcome to read their poems. It is a very first time reader friendly poetry reading, often with guest poets from across the country and other colleges.

Poetry - Watching

{blink}
experience = wisdom
wisdom = age
{blink}
As grey invades black
bones begin to ache
{blink}
reflections over time
{blink}
seeing youth through experienced eyes

Felix Dennis - multimillionaire, poet and killer?

You know what you don’t see very often? Poetry and modern advertising being combined.

Then again I’m in America and the poet that I am thinking of is in Britian. That may be the reason why the combination works. Or it could just be the wine. It’s free did I mention that.

Felix Dennis may not be a household name, and even less so in America, but he is popular in his circle. And with a promotion like Did I Mention the Free Wine? You have to believe that he is looking to expand his horizon far beyond.

Now I imagine you are thinking 2 things. Who is Felix Dennis, and is the wine really free or just a gimmick. Well to answer the second question first, yes the wine is free. So if you can travel back in time and cross the Atlantic you can get you buzz going along with a glass of the house red.

As for whom he is well that is the interesting bit. It is reported that he is a multi-millionaire, thus there is no problem with getting the drinks on him. He is also reported to be a philanthropist (not because of all the free drinks that he purchases at his readings), and a magazine magnate – where did you think the money came from? Poetry?

Yet, like all artists there is a bit of darkness that follows Dennis, maybe. It’s not his poetry tour for his collection Homeless In The Heart, but an admission that he made. Now the claim is that he was pissed at the time, bitter and twisted as it were, but who knows. All that can be said is that in April he stated to a journalist that he killed a man, and later recanted.

This is unusual fare for a poet, but so is being rich. Did he really kill someone? Is it just another publicity gimmick like buying your wine at his tour stops? Only Dennis knows for sure. But I bet you are more interested in his poetry now.

And there is the magazine magnate sticking out.