Let that Black lady breathe!
By Chika Ikogwe
Published 1 January 2021
I’m a woman
I’m a Black woman
I’m a dark skinned Black woman
And often times, I feel like people are saying
“Somebody shut that Black lady up!”
Yeah.
Like they’ve heard enough.
Yeah.
Like I don’t deserve to speak up.
Yeah.
Like they want me to suffer silently,
smiling through disrespect to help them live comfortably.
Yeah.
Like in society,
I could be minding my own business on a regular ass Tuesday,
but then I’m considered cold for not going out of my way.
To do what exactly? Exactly. I’m just as confused as you are.
Yeah.
Like, I could be celebrating a win.
Taking a moment to acknowledge the girl in this skin,
doesn’t have it easy, yet manages to thrive, not just survive.
But then somehow I’m considered extra.
I’m doing too much. I’m being too much.
“She’s little arrogant, if you ask me.
Wish she would just go about things humbly!”
Yeah.
Like when I go to the doctor, and grumble about a pain
“I’ve got this… thing, doc. I always feel drained.”
It’s like they don’t hear me and everything I’m saying is false
In one ear and out the other
You don’t even want to check me?
Run a test? Review my pulse?
Yeah.
As if I don’t gaslight myself every other day
Am I too much? Do I really deserve this?
Maybe my hair is too big. You’re blocking the view, squash it down sis.
I don’t have that Beyoncé figure, I don’t have the right kind of curves.
Am I always angry or did the misogynoir get on my last nerve?
Somebody, give that Black lady a break.
Somebody, please, listen to her.
Somebody tell that Black lady anger belongs to her too,
she doesn’t need to smile in the face of adversity, boo.
Somebody tell that Black lady to celebrate, loud and clear.
She just wants to make sure her ancestors can hear!
Somebody tell that Black lady she doesn’t need to be perfect
No matter what she does, or who she is, she still deserves respect
Somebody
Anybody
Let that Black lady
Breathe.
‘Queen of Hearts’ by Stephanie Martei @stephmartei
Write a poem in response to this image, ‘Queen of Hearts’ by Stephanie Martei @stephmartei
Poetry is one of the most unique and special art forms out. It is one of the only art forms where it’s kind of…everything. Theatre is poetry, writing is poetry, music is poetry, art is poetry, poetry is obviously poetry. Film, television. Some people find poetry in sport! Some people find poetry in going for a walk and the clouds are shaped in an odd way and they start thinking poetic thoughts about what that might be about.
Everything is poetry, it’s all around us and I think that is so special and unique and universal by nature. Everyone’s a poet - everyone can do it. I think that’s pretty cool.
Chika Ikogwe
#PoetryAmbassador #PoetryMonth
