Our Story
Our Story
Our story is round with a center that sparkles like a bride’s ring
If you place your ear close, you will hear chants and hymnals,
laughter and cries from those who know you
even if you don’t remember them
It has kinky hair when it is not curled, permed or relaxed
It rarely if ever burns in the sun
It loves the wide open sea in the summer
It enjoys the sounds of jazz, reggae, gospel and drums
It smells of cocoa beans, peppermint and green tea
It has limbs the color of bronze, caramel and mahogany
It shines in purple, scarlet and cream
The webs it spins are caked with candied yams,
cornbread and okra stew
Like a tarantula, it will bite if you antagonize it
It rejects the word victims
It walks away from drama
It can learn you and in the learning, it can love you
It accepts itself for who it is without apology
It remembers childhood dreams stolen by bullies, but seeks to
invent new dreams and fight for them
It is not bound by neighborhood, income level, gender
It has faith in the possibility of change
It cannot guarantee you a victory at trial,
only its presence, prayers and protests
© 2016 Jawanza Phoenix
Jawanza Phoenix is a lawyer and the author of two books of poems, I Need an Assignment and The Intersection of Beauty and Crime.
This poem have layers for sure. It speaks layers such as memories of childhood, the idea of innocence of thinking the world is fair. However, realizing the underlining truths of reality. Although the challenges one can still triumph thru obstacles with faith, hope and values.
Brilliantly written poem and moving.