Poetry

Adiyah Obolu

I wish Black people could have roots and plant seeds Could push for Revolution but also learn how to breathe I think we need more love But there’s so much I haven’t mastered the courage to love yet What if they take our safe space away from us? To love, to know, push for Justice or just growth I hope one day I’ll plant some type of seed Even if I never learned how to garden Or act as a tree, teach people how to breath Even if I don’t understand leaves And sometimes I leave it for fall Sorrow, borrow Blessings, waves I was never a big fan of science But I hope the sun will shine on you and you master the resistance of joy But also know practice Blasfimous, how much my mind has began to normalize Feelin stuck in every situation Pickin battles in my education I have to work, but can’t just be complacent I don’t dream a lot lately But my wish is that you’ll try to dream a little more often Dream of what it will all look like when we get there Post-emancipation, sometimes you have to go through the storm to even fathom the destination I never really learned how to plant seeds, not a lot I remember from biology, and I’m still reintroducing myself on how to dream But beam with your light, Kendrick said we gon be alright, and in the silence My faith in the world only gets louder It’s almost as if they’re screaming Black power Jordan McGowan

I never dreamed you leave Truth be told I always envisioned you there with me

But how could I possibly ignore all that was in my face? Love blinded me to the reality that you would soon leave this physical space

You said you would see me in the morning but I was naive You were preparing to dance in the divinity

Arguing with the Ancestors, proud & defiant in defense of what you loved Ready to continue to serve your term until we hugged

I spoke sobbing words of assurance if your life’s work & I found myself forced to lead with no time to process this hurt

But daddy I pray that you are proud I’m Black & I’m Proud still singin out loud

Still Phins boy but a man, the one you built by hand Stand ten toes down, never fold, never ran

I never dreamed you leave in summer Winter spring or fall time Bcuz legends never die & they called tou the greatest of all time

But I know I will see you in the morn O Happy Day when the world is reborn

I long for the day when liberation will run out the earth & every one will walk in freedom Full of radical love for all of the children of The Creators Kingdom

our Peoples’s victory will be complete - FREE THE PEOPLE FREE THE LAND We will celebrate the Ancestors righteous struggle & God’s perfect plan

17 years later…. They said I wouldn't make it this far ..10 central lines, 10 infections, 3Exes, 2 books, and 4 grandkids later, still I Rise. Today is my anniversary kinda like a rebirthday of some kind. After the friends & family visits stop, after the phone calls stop, there is still the survivor. Family and friends will forget what you have been through, nevertheless, you must keep fighting, you must keep pushing forward no matter what. And to the survivors don't take it personally most people are only in your life for seasons. Learn what you can and when they part ways don't be bitter they were not meant to stay in your life. Now the ones that stay embrace them with love every chance you get.

TO PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS ACROSS THE WORLD KEEP FIGHTING. DO NOT GIVE UP. If you are a believer the Bible says (Peter 4:12) Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange was happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. #SurvivorStrong