Poems by Sherry P

From every hidden place where countless senseless lynchings took place, let freedom ring. Let freedom ring from every injustice, degradation, humiliation, castration in America’s nation and from the African slave ships where men, women, and children were brought over in chains, shackled to the floors— Let freedom ring! in every hallowed hallway like the one Amadou was shot in—41 times!— and killed for no crime…he never committed… Let freedom ring where every faceless, nameless KKK made its way to massacre our people. Let freedom ring in the courts where equal rights was for shit in the streets— no retreats—let freedom ring for every black man, black woman, black child. Let freedom ring for every white man, white woman, white child who engaged in equality. Let freedom ring for every child born in dope addiction, methadone, crack, and alcoholism.

Let freedom ring with deafening rage.

Sherry P.

I planted seeds of destruction in my wayward way of life, I lived through confusion and much strife. I experienced roads of insanity through doing drugs, sweeping myself under the rug (literally). I did reap what I sowed. Madness was the only thing I knew, I blew so much tranquility until I decided I wanted to be free and pleaded to God, Save my soul! And make my spirit free! And his love (God’s) did indeed embrace me— so real, so beautiful, the seed grew abundantly and I became a blossom of energy and today I spell and smell tranquility. The seed from God above is truly, truly love.

Sherry P.

Befo’ I die, I want to have reached my pie in the awesome sky and have my cake and eat it too!

Befo’ I die, I want to have explored all life’s mysteries and come to really know who I am!

Befo’ I die, I want to have broken down all doors and barricades and built new frontiers to stand!

Befo’ I die, I want to have traveled all the regions of this vast earth!

Befo’ I die, I want to have cried and known mirth encasing my rebirth!

Befo’ I die, I want to say—no, shout— I have truly, truly lived and throughout life I have ascended to realms of heaven above.

Befo’ I die, I want to have experienced the greatest love—I believe it’s God.

Befo’ I die, I want to fly without any drugs and know why God has made me, myself and I— and befo’ I die, I want to have truly, truly lived. Can ya dig?

Sherry P.

I’m sick and tired of being left on the shelf, being somebody else— time to make a brand damn new start— what part?

Ready to stand up and be counted, board the express of life, roundtrip, head start— what part?

Second best not in the script closed mouth tight lip no shit, I’m takin’ the reins from the freakin’ start— what part?

No more interruptions via illegal drugs’ destruction. I’m gung ho—all insanity gots to go straight from the heart, either you’re all aboard or close the door as you depart— what damn part?

Like a kaleidoscope of my inquiring heart, what damn part? Man, don’t you understand? What part?

Sherry P.

The times of my life were varieties galore. I bathed in rivers of grandeur. I slept on barren floors. I laughed, I cried, I lived, I died. All jokes aside, on roars of waves I did ride and ride! I came ashore, I dove back in head-first, I nursed the hurt of being me like the roaring of the open sea until I came upon a much desired tranquility. Peace and serenity became alive in me. The times of my life today equals sweet, sweet simplicity.

Sherry P.