poems – Page 7 – Fried Chicken & Philosophy

November 2, 2016February 23, 2017 czvasser Fried Chicken

1001 Black Men

“We been saying ‘freedom’ for six years. What we are going to start saying now is ‘Black Power.’” -Stokely Carmichael

Communication

All Power to the People

Black Power

Ungawa!!

Jambo, Bwana

Bwana, Homie don’t play that

Oh, Rochester

Yes, Massa

How much for the women

Steppin off, Boss

Which way, Kimosabe

What’s Going On

What are we doing today Brain

We Shall Overcome

CoInTel

God Be With You

Salaam Alaikum

Hakuna matata

Good Golly, Miss Molly

Caged birds sing

Great googa-mooga

Raisins in the sun

What is a failure to communicate.

October 31, 2016February 23, 2017 czvasser Fried Chicken

Molasses

Eyes pools of honey
molasses on warm fingers
unwrapping her wings

October 30, 2016February 23, 2017 czvasser Afroticity, Fried Chicken

Old Joe

(in whispers)

Even Jesus give Old Joe a pass to the Pearlie Gates

Den, why dey string him up?

Dey needed a n***** satisfy somebody

But Old Joe?

He a n***** aint he?

Why somebody need to be satisfy?

Hear Boss wanted some buck breakin
Mistake an broke dat boy neck

Hear Missus got wind

She like dat boy for herself

I’d seen dat, Sho nuff

She neva like da way Old Joe smooth things

She say, “N***** Please” when he start up

Boss took to satisfy hisself and Missus by hangin’ Old Joe

Jesus, lawd of mercy

BACK TO WORK N*****

Morning Coffee

Bill Paying

Being a black man is a bill that shows up every month that you have to pay and the vig is outrageous.

Singing

You taught me why the caged bird sings she said as she walked out the door.

The Greatest Commandment

The Second Commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than [this] these’” (Mark 12:28-31)

Yes you are. When you look at African culture hair has always defined who we are. From the braids of one tribe to the shaved heads of another to mud or cloth wraps hair has always been a statement about culture and who we are.

White Tie, Top Hat and Tails

Gladys Bentley was an over the top original when that wasn’t a popular thing to be. Performing in her signature White Tie, Top Hat and Tails she was so, so cool and bending a lot more than gender.

Bass Reeves

Bass Reaves: The Real Lone Ranger.

The Wells of America

Those who drink the water should never forget those that dug the wells.

Billie Holiday

“You can be up to your boobies in white satin, with gardenias in your hair, and no sugar cane for miles, but you can still be working on a plantation.” — Billie Holiday

Game Changer

“You have and always will change the game, so why are you concerned with their retelling who won the last hand. It’s not history that’s important it’s your next roll of the dice, the next turned card. Stop playing with their marked deck”.

Casualty

I was a soldier before I should have been. I’ve fought wars and been left for dead. A prisoner all my life. I’ve been MIA and I am a casualty yet still I rise.