I Wonder On What World Will I Be Allowed To Stay

 

The world I was born into was definitely not safe for me

So my parents,  the wonderful souls they are created a small paradise that was safe you see

Then I went to school and my world started unraveling before my eyes

In the outside world I was not encouraged to reach for the skies

So I created this world where I could co-exist

A safe place for me, a place where I could be Miss

On top of the world you know

A place where my parents envisioned I ‘d grow

A place where children are judged by what they know

Not by the texture of their hair

Cause sometimes you get tired of those  blank stares

Yes creating worlds is big job I dare say

When you’re new at it and a teenager touche`

I’m sure you understand if you don’t mix the right ingredients

Your world can come crashing down

The world I created where I ran the town

As a young woman my world sometimes fell down

One thing about creating worlds though

As long as you live

You need a world to be on

Where you can give

Your All

As the years go by… now I have three kids

So I created another world, 

Full of I shoulds

A world full of love

A world full of fear

A world full of disappointments

A world full of tears

And this world I was born in is still not safe for me

And quite frankly I haven’t perfected this world-making recipe

I keep trying because my children are all grown you know

And yes I am creating another world, where hopefully I will continue to grow

But the world I was born in is still not safe for me

No matter how my times  I change the way I see

I will continue trying to create a world where I can just be…

 

 

 

 

 

Reviews

[J. Hampton]

Hello...
been a minute

Incredible piece...
" No matter how my times I change the way I see "
that line just ...changed any comment I would've made....efore letting that just....sink-in

shifting perspectives dosn't ...."eliminate "clear and present ...dangers......mountains ...and demons
it just changes the way we deal with it for a hot-second.

the way the piece echos the "world FULL" ....it makes me think comes from a very empty truth...
but you are one full woman...brimming with seeds of answer and wisdom

love this

Blesssssssssssssssss

[Jamil Badi]

Looking at this piece from the perspective of a black man, I love how through a short piece you've captured the ongoing experience of a black person. The part about the upbringing of children and how the whole journey is cyclical really hits home for me. The ellipsis at the end of the last line also gives this impression of how the efforts to "make a world where I can just be..." is an attempt that gets lost in the world and doesn't get prioritized or acknowledged by the world, because unfortunately we live that kind of world. I think you could have dropped another line that alludes to the narrator being a POC on top of "not by the texture of their hair". Sometimes, those kinds of racial allusions go over people's heads, so just another line would be really effective for your piece.

Loved this poem. Definitely feel inspired. Hope this helped you

[biggerthenu]

I LIKE THIS POEM ITS STRONG IN TRUTH. I PRAY THAT YOU CONTINUE TO GROW AND SPREAD YOUR ROOTS. RAY SMITH

[Wildecat]

This is an icredible piece of poetry, a definite pleasure to read this poem.

[Michael X]

Very beautifully written, I loved the choice of words you used,
the way you expressed and accentuated point, is captivating,
the meaning heartfelt, and touching, isightful, reflects rwality
and what it takes to succeed in being, keep up the great work. Michael

[Danielle Asher]

this piece is so moving. I would never pretend to relate to your experience but I fear I do not have the right words to express how it touched me. It is so important to have explicit conversation about race, culture and justice or the lack their of and I think it is so compelling that you can do so by way of your art.
Thank you for being so courageous. I am sure your children gain so much strength from you.

peace and love to you,
danielle