(13) When I'm Still | Facebook
When I'm Still
6 February 2012 at 05:53
(For my Quaker Friends, who sit in silent worship, waiting upon the Lord)
When I'm still
I hear the voice of my grandmothers
In this land.
They have asked me
To speak to you
To speak to you
about their concerns.
They want to know
Why you say you believe
In one thing
And do another?
They want to know
How you can speak of equality
When all of the people
Do not have a safe place to sleep
Or full bellies?
They want to know
How you can speak of justice
When the most dangerous of criminals
With the deadliest of weapons
Lead your nation?
They want to know
How you can speak of integrity
After so many millions
Of us
Have been sold into slavery
To raise capital
For investments
Or slaughtered
To make room
For your so-called civilization?
Yes,
I said to my grandmothers.
Yes,
I have spoken of these concerns
To many people
Just as you have asked.
I have spoken with them
About these concerns
I have spoken with them
And they say...
They say
They cannot hear this truth
Until I learn
To speak to them
With love.
They say
My truth is hurting them.
Hmm,
My grandmothers say.
Hmm.
What is it
About the Yangee-Wshichu,
That they must always
Dominate the conversation
With talk of love and peace
While the rest of us
Are crying out for justice?
Did they love us
When our lands were taken,
Our people scattered
Like corn husks in the wind?
Do they love you,
Granddaughter,
While they keep
Your ancestral inheritance
For themselves?
Must they humiliate us,
Also,
By mocking our pain;
By denying the truth
While they continue to heap trash
Upon our bones?
When I am still
I hear the voice of my grandmothers
In this land.
They say,
We support you
Beloved granddaughter,
For speaking the truth
Of our hearts.
Do not blame yourself,
For that responsibility
Does NOT belong to you,
But to the Yangee-Washichu.
It is theirs alone.
When I am still
I hear the voice of my grandmothers
In this land.
Star Smith
Pendle Hill (2007)
12Steve Livingston, Grace Upshaw and 10 others
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Lucy Duncan Beautiful, searing, true.
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David Moorman Well spoken, Sharon.
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David Moorman Shared this with some Downers Grove Friends.
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Susan Chast I love this. And still have only the capacity I have. Poems like this one are changing me, changing my shape, mind, body, thoughts, writing ... all of that and, yes, not allowing me the privilege of forgetting, finally. Yet I am still me and still Yangee-Wasichu all the way to my grave. Sharing your poem. Thank you.
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Elaine Coate Poetry speaks where words fail
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Margaret Nielsen Powerful - and true
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Steve Livingston Superb piece of poetry. I can hear it being sung as well as spoken. Thank you, Friend.
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