Heart of the Race

excerpts from Grewal et al’s “Charting the Journey”

photograph by A.B. Godfreed

‘just weeds’, she said
‘what about seeds?’

Black woman catapulted globally…
refused out of a desire to keep
value of having plenty
(relatively)

And here too
the people with power
remained silent
burn our lips

Lay down and I
struggled with it
and panic
and hurt
and fear
biggest and most lasting impact
common blood betrays me

Another black woman
Must live among tigers,
but can take time off
living alone

A new moon is coming
cycle of independence
focus in
your own future and
your life ahead of you
validation to keep
going

***