Poetry Spotlight from ‘Voices’

I am here

I am that element that generates that “ahh” sound you make after the first cool sip

I linger before in darkness before the earth was lit

I embodied essence before the word had definition

Repeated his image before repetition

I am that part of America’s history

they sweep under the rug

I’ve seen strange white face take life and change it’s course.

Seen them take a people

Just to rape the source

Stole from there land to server another by force

Then counted for not with no remorse

I died in the nightmare of slaves

Then resurrected in the dreams of King

I arose before his dreams could be seen with his own eyes

I was the one who told Rosa to sit down and rest

The reason Malcolm changed his last name to X

I dance in stolen moments and kisses on my down time

It is a powerful energy that is constant

And can withstand the tests of time

I am here living breathing loving existing

A Queen I be

Quintessential

I am

of kingdoms

My fallopian tubes are incrusted with diamonds

So my child will know before its fetal stage

That it comes from royalty

And when he is born

His cries will wake nations

And dead thing long forgotten about

He will fly

Like the Tuskegee Airmen in their prime

Moving in perfect rhyme

 

I often dwell in the minds of Poets and MCs

They call me Hip Hop

Showing me that pull out chair for me love

The turn on the air for me love

They watch my play and memorize me

They use their hands to flip me and spin

They said people will talk about me for ages

Having celebrations in my name

With knowledge to gain

I want riots when whack MCs try to imitate me

In front of the masses

How dare they

I am feeling good like Nina

Personifying freedom in every form

Yes I know how you feel

I am here

And I am not cocky nor vain

I just know what’s running through my veins

It is a powerful energy that is constant

And can withstand the tests of time

I am here living breathing loving existing

A Queen I be

Quintessential

I am

McQuisha Smith