‘we are the daughters
of the witches
you did not burn’
the sons of slaves stolen
and traded like cattle
on cotton ships across the atlantic
we are the illegitimate children
of colonial bastards and the women
who were stolen from their homes and lived
we are the grandchildren
of the potato farmers
who did not starve.
we are descendants of jews
who were not killed
we are the children
of first people everywhere
who lived sideways and quiet
in a world over run with noise
our grandmother was the girl
running naked and burned
from the bombs
falling on her home
we are children of hutu and tutsi
we are the 10 000 of tieneman square
the trees that were felled
the elephant on whose dead bodies
our towns were built
we are the people our mountains still speak.
we are the songs
that were sung
in hope and sadness.
we are the babies stillborn
because the world was not ready,
we have come with claw
and beak and feet
to listen in the language of the world
we have come to say
enough is enough.
let us be what is needed.
we are the ones we have been waiting for.
we come in peace.
Yes.
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Reblogged this on method two madness and commented:
Powerful.
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thank you
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You are welcome. This needed to be shared.
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So powerful. I don’t think I breathed once while reading this. Phenomenal.
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wow. thank you
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”we are the ones we’ve been waiting for” – yes.
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This is very powerful and something to remember for each brick placed in the wall.
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A new anthem for us all.
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Thank you – may our voices join in power and harmony.
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Such strong words that we need now.
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thank you
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It just builds and builds! So many strong lines weaving a powerful anthem.
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thank you for reading, and for the encouraging comment.
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Yes, yes!
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Thank you so much for sharing.
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You’re welcome. So powerful. 🙂
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and good luck for nanowrimo.
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Very touching and engaging words Lindi. They resonated with my core. May we stand up for what is right.
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Thank you. And thank you for reading.
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The power of your words is razoring through generations! Well done Lindi.
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Thank you
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A very strong poem.
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Superb!
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I felt this deeply. Thank you for bringing this concept forward.
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thank you.
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I just shared this on Twitter. It needs to be widely read.
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Your poem makes my hair stand on end. Brilliantly written. I found it via Myths of the Mirror
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Thank you for reading.
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Powerful words, brilliantly portrayed through vivid analogies and imagery….. I found this wonderful by following Robert Goldstein….
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thank you for your words.
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Reblogged this on NANMYKEL.COM and commented:
Well-written and extremely moving–and powerful.
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Thank you for sharing.
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Love it!
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Ooooh, thank you for this. Very inspiring.
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And thank you for reading.
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poem, indeed, Lindi, from the strong opening to the gentle ending! The repetition gives it backbone and the voiceless daughters, slaves, children, plants, animals, and everyone who ‘lived sideways and quiet in a world over run with noise’ give it flesh. I love the lines:
‘we have come with claw
and beak and feet
to listen in the language of the world
we have come to say
enough is enough’.
Amen
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For some reason ‘A potent’ disappeared from my comment.
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🙂
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A fine capsule sourcing dissent in native wrongs, but more so I loved this testament: “we have come with claw / and beak and feet / to listen in the language of the world / we have come to say” – A hatchling moment where the cry arises — again — “let us be what is needed.” Perhaps, at last, that time arrives. We can only hope — and keep demanding. Great stuff. – Brendan
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This is the best thing I have read all week. It is beautiful, powerful, inspiring and true. If I were still doing a Poem of the Week online, as I did for so long, this poem would be it. FANTASTIC write!
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Thank you Sherry. It is a pre covid write.(from September 2019) Wanted to work it a bit for your protest prompt but ran out of time. Delighted that you like it.
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I agree with Sherry. You have a strong and wise voice. You’ve said what so many of us want to chant. We are here to stay.
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Thanks Myrna.
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Thanks for posting again…still spot on. (K)
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Enjoyed this- loved the close as well! Strong!
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