After hearing Maya Angelou speak this morning at the Children’s Defense Fund National Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio I visited the National Underground Railroad Museum & Freedom Center and it was a powerful experience. Pay special attention to the Haunted Slave Poem because it was written in the 1800′s and shows the power of poetry to transform society. I hope these photographs inspire you all!
Thanks to LyannV I was nominated for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award! This is my first blogging award and I am grateful for the recognition. When you are nominated for the award you have to:
1. Post the award image
Today is the last day of my 30 Day Poetry Challenge! I can’t believe I am done. Today I am in Cincinnati, Ohio for the Children’s Defense Fund National Conference
which is convening thousands of child advocates, faith leaders, Social Workers, community organizers and activist to build a movement to protect children in our country. This morning at 6:00am young leaders convened outside the convention center for a time of silent reflection on African-Americans, especially young men in the prison system. What many may not know is that the U.S. has the largest prison population in the world and it is overwhelming inhabited Black men. Author Michelle Alexander calls this phenomena the New Jim because many of these men were led to prison due to economic and racial circumstances. After getting out of prison most ex-offenders lose voting rights and can’t get jobs which means they are basically a separate class. The poem below was inspired by poems I read this morning that were written by young people in prison, their poems touched me and reminded me that I was born and raised in one of the 12 communities in NYC that sends the most people in the state to prison. To read my poetic reflection:
Write my love across the sky,
when you see tears of joy fall from my eye.
With pens of joy, hope and light write my love for all to see.
My love is imperfect,
but the image it was made in is not.
Love is not if it is hidden within the heart.
Why must we hold divine truth within ourselves
due to pride, ego and “propriety”.
I will not hide Love within my heart,
though foolish I may seem,
so write my love across the sky for all to see.
GelGems (I love them) on train. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Crisis, chaos, hope deferred.
Shooting, Occupations, debts
defaulting.
Hate speech, suicides, domino effects.
Spiritual not religious,
seekers are now finding.
Questions that were mysteries are now
being answered.
Soulmates, twin flames, cosmic
connections.
Love, Joy, Healing, Hope restored.
The Caterpillars and Phoenix are rising
into a new birth.
A revolutionary seed is now coming into
full bloom.
The divine alarm clock says it’s time.
The Awakening is happening.
Are you asleep?
When the storm arrives where will you
be?
Where will you turn for shelter?
Who’s Arms will protect you from the wind?
When lightening strikes will you see?
We dance in the sunshine but can’t
withstand the rain.
Life is invigorated by the sun,
yes this is true,
but without the rain to cleanse us we can never be born anew.
When the storm winds blow will you
stand strong?
Or topple like the houses you’ve built with vanities.
A warm whisper.
A gentle caress.
Assurance that greatness can come from gentleness.
Exhaling self doubt,
Inhaling self love.
We rest in the knowledge that light has drawn us together,
and the depths of hell can not tear us apart.
Through sickness, pain and rain,
our joy is full because our love was built on the solid rock of divine timing.
Lord if I leave it all to go travelin’
will I find you on the journey?
Will you walk beside me unseen,
until you reveal myself to me?
Sometimes I want to walk towards
the setting sun until I fall off the horizon.
If I fall will you catch me, in the arms of
eternity?
Who can travel with me who won’t
take me off my divine path?
My road map is crumpled and dusty.
My feet are blistered and tired.
Yet I want to run not walk on this
journey.
I want to travel and encounter your
image in all I see.
If I go traveling’, journeying and dancing
spirit will you lead me to my
destination?
Will you be the compassionate
compass that wraps me in Love?
Deep, dark and bright all at the same time.
Love and hate coexist together.
How can passion turn into sorrow?
How can love turn into pain.
Who knows the interior of the heart,
When it is deceitful above all things.
Scarlet passion/scarlet hate,
A thin line between LOVE & HATE.
Photo by Scarlet Dee
The rays hit her face,
warm power that invigorates.
Darkening her skin and empowering her soul.
Communication that’s beyond words- soulforce.
Life is for Living & LOVE is a choice!
Refining theological understanding. Sharpening ethical rigor. Heightening devotional intensity.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
Book the Mooney Twins for your Live Event
A Site Dedicated to Counter-Racism Economics, Education, and Liberation
A place where like minds connect and each can teach.
Luke 21:15 KJVA For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist .
Reflective Study of Mathematics
The place where the voice of the black poet is heard, respected, and savored by all
The World from a Hip Hop Perspective
"Serve...Suffer...Sacrifice"
Spilling the beans on beauty & blogging through product reviews, brand musings, easy tutorials & blog tips!
Always For The People
This WordPress.com site is the cat’s pajamas
Trying to get to a better place.
Experience the hot mess that goes on in my head. Hope it makes you smile :-)
From a Nu-Afrikan perspective, RBG 4Lif.. Red For The Blood That We Have Shed In The Freedom Struggle Black Is For Our People & The Origin Of All Things In The Universe Green Is For Mother Afrika & The Rebirth Of Life And For Our Children
One black female's effort to use words to help replace the system of Racism (White Supremacy) with a system of Justice
by Ayomide Osunkoya
