Kwamise's Poetry
KWA-KWA'S POETRY PAGE
STAND UP
STAND UP MY BROTHER AND DON'T SIT DOWN
STAND UP MY BROTHER AND DON'T SIT DOWN
DON'T BAcK UP AND DON'T ALLOW LIFE TO TURN YOU AROUND
HANDLE IT AND DON'T LET IT HANDLE YOU.
STAND UP MY BROTHER AND DON'T SIT DOWN
MURDERERS, THIEVES, AND POISONERS IS
THE NEGATIVE STIGMA THAT MEDIA HAS PLACED ON YOU.
STAND UP MY BROTHER AND DON'T SIT DOWN
PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE
AND DON'T FROWN.
STAND UP MY BROTHER AND DON'T SIT DOWN
STOP PLAYING A FOOL
STOP ACTING LIKE A CLOWN
IGNORANCE AND FOOLISHNESS HAVE PASSED
YOU MUST BE QUALIFIED IF YOU ARE GOING TO LAST.
My Sister, My Sister
My sister, my sister;look where we have come from. From slave
ships to boardroom's. From being maids to having our own maids.
From baby maker's to hard working citizens. From girls to women.
Lawyers, doctors, teachers, engineers, and entrepreneurs just
some of the titles that we can claim
My sister, my sister as we walk down city streets we demand the attention of everyone that we encounter. With our heads held high and our chins lifted towards the sky; we demand attention with just our style and our look. Our speech is immaculate and our attire can be called little less than impressive.
My sister, my sister with role models such as Sojourner Truth, Mary McCloud Bethune, Rosa Parks, and Harriet Tubman could you expect anything less? Strong black sista's who proved that Black women deserved recognition and were willing to risk their lives in order to accomplish their goals.
My sister, my sister; long gone are the days of depending on a man for our livelihood. A man to carry us throughout our lives. We are the ones, "bringing home the bread!" Many Black women are raising the future generation alone without any help from men. We have come to the point where we can do for oursleves no matter what the circumstances may be.
My sister, my sister; look where we are, Grand Valley State University. In college, bettering ourselves. We walk around this campus determined to become something. Trying to avoid the huge influx of teenage Black girls that are getting pregnant 3 & 4 times before the age of 20. Babies having babies.
My sister, my sister; look at the word itself, SISTER. Remember that we all need eachother. We all need to respect and hold our fellow sisters in high esteem. We must start doing self-reflection before we begin to criticize others.
My sister, my sister; walk around with your head held high and your shoulders straight. Many great women have perished in order to make our lives more fulfilling. Don't stoop to the stereotypes and misconceptions. Remember Nefertiti and other great African Queens that were worshipped and adored by their followers. We are worthy and we are important!With that kind of attitude, the sky's the limit. And if you remember nothing else from what I have said, please remember the significance of; MY SISTER, MY SISTER!
Friendship!
"Kwamise will you come and visit me today?" After agreeing to go and see my friend I started to have second thoughts. She lived in a bad neighborhood and lately she had thought people were following her. I felt bad because I was really scared to be around her. As I walked up the steps I started to turn and flee but I changed my mind. I rang the doorbell and there she was. She looked even more mystical than usual that day. We sat and talked for hours, but finally it came time to go home. She asked me to stay but I refused, using some excuse of having to work. I closed the door and got into my car, her watching me as I went. I started the engine and began to leave. Having only just left I heard gunshots. I stopped in the middle of the street and turned around, driving slowly as if to prevent the inevitable. As I approached the porch all I could see was a trail of blood slithering down the steps. I began to sob uncontrollably. I could not help but think that if I had of stayed; either she would still be alive today or we both would be DEAD.
Lost forever!
2:00p.m. and still no word from my homecoming date. The hair was done and the nails were painted. I stared at the phone wondering what the holdup was. I told him the date and time and still no call. On the hanger stood the $100 dress, that was so hard to find. 6:00p.m. came and I decided to go over there. Mabye basketball or some other sport had distracted him. You know how men are! I pulled up to the house and saw him down the street, all sweaty and nasty from cleaning a house. When I asked what was going on he professed to thinking it was next week. I stormed off wanting to run him over with my car. My vision was blurred by the salty tears that fell continuosly to the seat. "This is my senior year, " I screamed as I drove to my house. My mom said to go anyway, but that was out of the question. I sat at home and sulked all night with my mother trying aimlessly to cheer me up. "This year was supposed to be perfect," but for me it started off terrible because the first dance of my senior year was ruined and lost forever.
Colors and Lies!
Green, Blue, Purple, Hazel.
How many different colors can you get?
I can change my eyes to hide my true emotions.
If I wear green today then maybe they won't ask what's wrong.
Blue tomorrow might hide the black eye.
Hazel the next day might attract his attention.
What color are my eyes really? I couldn't even tell you.
Why do you wear different color contacts?
I wear them to hide my true feelings from the world!
True Strength!
Lying in the hospital bed, eyes crinkled from laughter
In so much pain but too proud to show it
Minus a breast today but still looking forward to tomorrow
Daughters and granddaughter crying and waiting
All the while, the patient is sending both doctors and nurses out
in tears from laughter
She had a scare with breast cancer but she would never
let a disease stop the laughter that is ever present in her eyes!
Love Lost!
The book was opened and there you were
The picture I used to hold so dear
The love we shared was once so great,
and now it is just an empty space
I cared so much, you hurt so bad
The heart you broke can not be fixed
You gave so little, I gave so much
And now we are just so out of touch
You took my heart into your hands
and now it trickles through the sands
All I asked was for your love,
I guess you thought I asked for more
Perhaps it is time for me to flee
And find another that is right for me?
KWA-KWA'S POETRY PAGE
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