Trills of celebrating voices reach for the skyone voice tells of those who came before palms meet to the rhythm of a heart a woman child receives her name today she can turn the world upside down. Blood flows in the wake of the ship from bodies thrown over in self will virtue and future generations stolen in pure greed in the darkness fingers reach to touch anything familiar warm skin instead of cold steel Footprints make impressions in the dark earth sacks half full pulled on worn down shoulders rhythm of the song is all that makes a body move when a child was sold from her yesterday and milk still flows to stain the dust Clouds of smoke spiral from the train greasy bags clutched tight in nervous hands moving north, west, up and out away from anything with a weight too heavy for a spirit to carry Bus fumes linger in the air last will and testament pinned inside of a blouse riding to freedom, tears mingle with sweat on tired faces met at stops with fists and bats instead of open arms she still wants her children to be equal, not separate A single prayer pronounced a million heads bowed the struggle continues but she steadies her own ground she can turn the world right side up again ~~~~~~~~~~Yaa Baako ©1997 I hope this poem moves you as it moves me. Welcome to my homepage! I am an Africana Studies Major, with an emphasis in literature. I hope to teach within my area at the college level once I complete my Master's Degree. My favorite thing to do in the world is read. Some of my favorite authors are Alice Walker, Dorothy West, Margaret Walker, Frances E.W. Harper, and Anne Petry. I cherish the poetry of Nikki Giovanni, Countee Cullen, and Langston Hughes. If the poems here inspire you, try the African American Phat Poetry Book.
"Because for
three long centuries this people lynched Negroes who dared to be brave,
raped black women who dared to be virtuous, crushed dark-haired youth who
dared to be ambitious, and encouraged and made to flourish servility and
lewdness and apathy. But not even this was able to crush all manhood and
chastity and aspiration from Black folk."
I challenge
all who discover this page to reject apathy. Our youth need guidance in
a world where their heroes fight and kill for territory they don't own,
instead of fighting to uplift. Find a mentoring program in your area. Try
through schools or Rites of Passage programs. If in the San Diego area,
try Pazzaz. If you are adventurous,
try the Ekaya Wilderness
Adventure Program. If there is no program in your area and you are
interested in developing one, please look at the
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This man
Our Future