For Monisha
Please tell me you went not silently
Into a not-so-gentle night, and that your
Giant voice of redwood
Wasn’t silenced after all.
One day you appeared, then just as quickly
Vanished, leaving us wondering if you were a
Ghost.
But too proud to be a ghost,
Your formidable presence took up space and left
Impressions in my mind.
You had the grace of a queen,
And the voice of a (Dr.) King.
Please tell me you rose, far above
The small-town walls and ignorance
And you weren’t swallowed up in the ghetto.
I thought that with your intellect,
You’d join Booker, DuBois, and Ms. Angelou -
In the great Black hall of fame
There’d be an entry from Middletown.
Please tell me you stayed a queen.
Please tell me you’re not unseen.
Please tell me you didn’t disappear
In hopeless anonymity.
We don’t need another Black female martyr,
My sister.
Written 7/14/2007
© 2007 Nicole Nicholson. All Rights Reserved.
Wow, that’s intense and thoughtproking. Its the kind of poem I savor, reading layers into every line.
Hi Raven, is this a friend that you lost touch with ? I am curious as to the history of the relationship to the subject I understand if it’s private… I enjoyed reading it , and it has a wonderfully wistful tone.
What a wonderful poem. You made me want to know where this queen is and what she has made of her life.
Very nice. Thanks to Susan for helping us discover things.
I’ve thought a lot lately about those I’ve loved, admired and lost contact with…of those who impressed me greatly when I knew them and now out of their company, wonder about. I appreciated this…the love and lament in it. Thanks.
I agree, I don’t want another martyr. I want breathing activists. Let’s join forces at grassroot levels.Sorry for preaching. I just believe each of has something to give.
Very beautiful, heartfelt poem. I found this one through Susan’s blog.
I can hear this being read and carried off in the wind. Good work.