[Happy Valentine's Day! Feb. 14th]
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I decided to post an entry about a moment that I love. It was shortly after meeting one of poetry’s great literary heroines; Sister Sonia Sanchez. This was a remarkable moment not only because of who she is but what she represents. To be able to not only see her but meet her was an honor and privilege. Below is a poem I wrote in response to that encounter and the entry that follows.
Date: November 11, 2006
Time: Mid-morning on a beautiful sunny day in late fall
Place: Vertigo Bookstore (College Park, Maryland)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In Love and Teaching
Ooooo Whoo…
I want to touch you
I want to reach you in parts unseen
I want to pour out my love on you in way that there's no doubt you've been loved.
Give you a smile to make you forget trouble ever was
I want to touch you, touch you, and reach....your mind.
I want to reach you and, make your mind bend
Take your thoughts to new heights
I want your ponderings to be a contortionist
Take your understanding to new proportions
Twist you, turn you
Make you feel the burn....
And beg me for more.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Walk Beautifully
“It is the year of our Lord November 11, 2006, something stirred in me today, something implemented, something big. I am in Artmosphere café listening to the rhythm of drum beats from the Western African dance class down the block and I am moved.
I just came from watching and absorbing Sonia Sanchez perform LIVE and in person at a quaint bookstore in College Park, MD. I am elated. She signed my book and wrote “Walk beautifully, my young sister. In Love, In Struggle, In Peace” signed – Sonia Sanchez.
She passed something to me; aside from the book and warm grin beheld something else. It was the baton. “Walk beautifully, “she said to me, small and powerful with withered and worn hands, from writing I ‘spose. Looked up at me with tired eyes (without her glasses) and I felt an energy pass from her to me.
It was - - responsibility. Walk beautifully. It was the same message my grandmother said to me; under educated, but with knowledge no institution could give. She said “Walk with your head up and shoulders back, and cain’t nobody take nuthin from ya.” Two small but very powerful women both were telling me the same message. Walk beautifully.
The Dream – Does Your House Have Lions?
Last night I had a dream[another] dream of being in a house, this house was recently remodeled and on the horizon I could see different plagues approaching, one of bats, one of locust, this, that and the other, but nothing could get through. And as dreams often go…in no coherent order, there was also a lion. And though a small lion, it had a full mane. It glowed a bluish white fiery kind of glow and it was running, trying to get me to follow it on a path where there was no light at all. Dipping and jumping over stones and not lighting the path but showing me where to go. I followed it and then….it came upon me.
I looked up and it was close looking directly at me. For a second I was afraid. Was it gonna eat me? Or was I just afraid of the next step?
The Correlation
I saw the book by Sanchez called “Does Your House Have Lions?” and I bought this book for her to sign because I don’t believe in coincidence and figured it must mean something. On the front of the book is a quote by Maya Angelou about Sanchez that reads… “Sonia Sanchez is a lion in literature’s forest. When she writes she roars, and when she sleeps other creatures walk gingerly.”
Maybe Sister Sanchez was my lion, lighting the way for me to follow. It was night, it was dark and maybe she turned to face me to give me the next instruction. Maybe I’m scared because I don’t know all what I am to do. Will she eat me if I mess up?
Clarity
Today I never felt clearer. Sister Sanchez is an educator. She read and spoke in Vigor books in College Park, near the University of Maryland and I loved the atmosphere. I love being around books, to be in learning: to hear, to perceive, to ponder, to treasure thought, and provoke word, to be a springboard for creativity and to incubate - - change. I love too, have to, must do - - just that.
And that is to be for someone else what sister Sanchez, Ossie, Dubois, Martin, Tavis, Maya, Oprah, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Gandhi, Common, Talib, Mos Def and every other independent actor, author, artist, cheerleader for justice, advocacy, equality and the human(e) way has ever done: Touch someone, be a positive influence, and pass the torch.
Thank you Ms. Sanchez for your contribution; for sowing a seed in me and many others, and for telling me of my assignment - Walk BEautifully.”
Just something to think about
In the spirit of Valentine's Day, I decided to post an entry about a moment that I love. It was shortly after meeting one of poetry’s great literary heroines; Sister Sonia Sanchez. This was a remarkable moment not only because of who she is but what she represents. To be able to not only see her but meet her was an honor and privilege. Below is a poem I wrote in response to that encounter and the entry that follows.
Date: November 11, 2006
Time: Mid-morning on a beautiful sunny day in late fall
Place: Vertigo Bookstore (College Park, Maryland)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
In Love and Teaching
Ooooo Whoo…
I want to touch you
I want to reach you in parts unseen
I want to pour out my love on you in way that there's no doubt you've been loved.
Give you a smile to make you forget trouble ever was
I want to touch you, touch you, and reach....your mind.
I want to reach you and, make your mind bend
Take your thoughts to new heights
I want your ponderings to be a contortionist
Take your understanding to new proportions
Twist you, turn you
Make you feel the burn....
And beg me for more.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Walk Beautifully
“It is the year of our Lord November 11, 2006, something stirred in me today, something implemented, something big. I am in Artmosphere café listening to the rhythm of drum beats from the Western African dance class down the block and I am moved.
I just came from watching and absorbing Sonia Sanchez perform LIVE and in person at a quaint bookstore in College Park, MD. I am elated. She signed my book and wrote “Walk beautifully, my young sister. In Love, In Struggle, In Peace” signed – Sonia Sanchez.
She passed something to me; aside from the book and warm grin beheld something else. It was the baton. “Walk beautifully, “she said to me, small and powerful with withered and worn hands, from writing I ‘spose. Looked up at me with tired eyes (without her glasses) and I felt an energy pass from her to me.
It was - - responsibility. Walk beautifully. It was the same message my grandmother said to me; under educated, but with knowledge no institution could give. She said “Walk with your head up and shoulders back, and cain’t nobody take nuthin from ya.” Two small but very powerful women both were telling me the same message. Walk beautifully.
The Dream – Does Your House Have Lions?
Last night I had a dream[another] dream of being in a house, this house was recently remodeled and on the horizon I could see different plagues approaching, one of bats, one of locust, this, that and the other, but nothing could get through. And as dreams often go…in no coherent order, there was also a lion. And though a small lion, it had a full mane. It glowed a bluish white fiery kind of glow and it was running, trying to get me to follow it on a path where there was no light at all. Dipping and jumping over stones and not lighting the path but showing me where to go. I followed it and then….it came upon me.
I looked up and it was close looking directly at me. For a second I was afraid. Was it gonna eat me? Or was I just afraid of the next step?
The Correlation
I saw the book by Sanchez called “Does Your House Have Lions?” and I bought this book for her to sign because I don’t believe in coincidence and figured it must mean something. On the front of the book is a quote by Maya Angelou about Sanchez that reads… “Sonia Sanchez is a lion in literature’s forest. When she writes she roars, and when she sleeps other creatures walk gingerly.”
Maybe Sister Sanchez was my lion, lighting the way for me to follow. It was night, it was dark and maybe she turned to face me to give me the next instruction. Maybe I’m scared because I don’t know all what I am to do. Will she eat me if I mess up?
Clarity
Today I never felt clearer. Sister Sanchez is an educator. She read and spoke in Vigor books in College Park, near the University of Maryland and I loved the atmosphere. I love being around books, to be in learning: to hear, to perceive, to ponder, to treasure thought, and provoke word, to be a springboard for creativity and to incubate - - change. I love too, have to, must do - - just that.
And that is to be for someone else what sister Sanchez, Ossie, Dubois, Martin, Tavis, Maya, Oprah, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Gandhi, Common, Talib, Mos Def and every other independent actor, author, artist, cheerleader for justice, advocacy, equality and the human(e) way has ever done: Touch someone, be a positive influence, and pass the torch.
Thank you Ms. Sanchez for your contribution; for sowing a seed in me and many others, and for telling me of my assignment - Walk BEautifully.”
Just something to think about
Comments
After reading your poem, I can definitely get the feel of how much teaching means to you. I applaud you on displaying your love of teaching and then mixing it up with a soft/sensual undertone. Congrats on your second feat. Keep on writng.
Be expressive-Be fearless,
Elektra