New Poem
(I'm reading this poem at tonight's Inauguration Day Poetry Reading.)
Litany
Because I am African American
Because I was born in the South and live in the North
Because I am first-generation removed from the civil rights movement
Because I am a wife, mother, and concerned citizen
Because I am an American
Because I voted for change
Because his name is Barack Hussein Obama
Because he saw something in us that we were not ready to see:
a belief that we can recognize ourselves in each other
Because it is time for our voices to be heard
Because of Iraq, Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda, Abu Ghraib, weapons of mass destruction, the axis of evil, “Mission Accomplished,” Katrina, the economy, the mortgage crisis, unemployment, global warming, immigration, poverty, homelessness, hopelessness, helplessness
Because we are more than Democrats and Republicans
more than Latino, Asian, and Native American
black and white, gay and straight, disabled and not
Because of Martin, Malcolm, Medgar, Rosa,
and the countless, nameless souls who fought for change
Because my parents and grandparents
never thought they would live to see this day
Because we honor the past and look forward to the future
Because we still have a ways to go
Because I can say to my son, “One day you could be president,” and mean it
Because his name is Barack Hussein Obama
Because we are one people
Because it’s time to stop talking and start listening
to stop listening and start doing
Because the dream is no longer deferred
Because we are the ones we have been waiting for
(This poem borrows lines from President-elect Obama’s “We Are One” opening speech, January 18, 2009, as well as shamelessly referencing the words of Langston Hughes and June Jordan.)
Litany
Because I am African American
Because I was born in the South and live in the North
Because I am first-generation removed from the civil rights movement
Because I am a wife, mother, and concerned citizen
Because I am an American
Because I voted for change
Because his name is Barack Hussein Obama
Because he saw something in us that we were not ready to see:
a belief that we can recognize ourselves in each other
Because it is time for our voices to be heard
Because of Iraq, Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda, Abu Ghraib, weapons of mass destruction, the axis of evil, “Mission Accomplished,” Katrina, the economy, the mortgage crisis, unemployment, global warming, immigration, poverty, homelessness, hopelessness, helplessness
Because we are more than Democrats and Republicans
more than Latino, Asian, and Native American
black and white, gay and straight, disabled and not
Because of Martin, Malcolm, Medgar, Rosa,
and the countless, nameless souls who fought for change
Because my parents and grandparents
never thought they would live to see this day
Because we honor the past and look forward to the future
Because we still have a ways to go
Because I can say to my son, “One day you could be president,” and mean it
Because his name is Barack Hussein Obama
Because we are one people
Because it’s time to stop talking and start listening
to stop listening and start doing
Because the dream is no longer deferred
Because we are the ones we have been waiting for
(This poem borrows lines from President-elect Obama’s “We Are One” opening speech, January 18, 2009, as well as shamelessly referencing the words of Langston Hughes and June Jordan.)
Comments
And I agree with Rethabile. You must record this on your iPhone and post it. I can hear the words being spoken in my head -- ah, you must do it.
**I Loved that line.
Thanks, everyone, for the kind words.
Love it!
You never disappoint, January. And if you ever do, you are allowed.