Spoken word Stuff

The following poem was written and performed (by me) at the Green Apple in East Point – Atlanta on Wednesday April 2, 2008. It’s meant to be read aloud. 

I Want To Know 

It’s been said that wisdom comes with age

I beg to differ.

I have many more questions today than I had when I was innocent

And now…

I WANT TO KNOW WHY!              

I want to know why some will rant and rave in rhyme

And cry for the need for change

But do nothing in November to effect that change – and encourage others to do nothing with them

(too light skinned I’ve heard some say)

I want to know why

Babies dead in Rwanda, Iraq, New Orleans, New York, New Guinea, Jamaica, Brazil, Ghana, El Salvador – babies dead babies dead babies dead babies dead babies dead.

And you still tell me Jesus saves

I want to know why.

Four thousand American and thousands upon thousands of brown skinned casualties as a result of an unsanctioned and thus illegal military invasion and it’s still allowed to continue.  More are protesting the loss of Chikeze on American Idol than the loss of all these lives.

I want to know why.

I want to know why research and development in the treatment of fatal childhood diseases or even menstrual cramps lags far behind the research and development of Viagra. Why I was expected to have a happy period back in the days before my uterectomy.

Stop. Yes – Uterectomy. Hysterectomy is a misnomer – my hysteria is well intact thank you very much.

I want to know why bullets in the backs of suspects make the 10 o’clock news but don’t register in the hearts of the citizen. Why no one believes that next time it just might be your child. Or you.

I want to know why grandma no longer watches “As the World Turns” from the sitting room. Why being shot in her own home and framed as a criminal seemed a reasonable byproduct of the war on drugs to some.

I want to know why.

I want to know why thousands had to lose their homes before the Fed stepped in and why Bear Sterns is being saved but my ex husband lost everything to the predatory policies endorsed by this administration. And now we watch another commercial offering credit protection.

I want to know why.

I want to know why the call for “English only” in the workplace isn’t scorned, especially by we who were forced to give up our native tongues and adopt this language that still tastes funny in my mouth.

I want to know why.

I want to know why some feel that love between two people could ever be a sin. Why some wish to legislate love, control it and tax it. How someone else is threatened if two women kiss. How a marriage will unfold if a penis touches another penis.

I want to know why.

I want to know why those who choose to protest abortion don’t lead the way to adopt and provide for the unwanted babies who are already here. 

I want to know why.  I want to know why those in the forefront of the prolife movement who will never be pregnant and never have that hard decision to make still feel comfortable in making the decision for those who do

I want to know why.

I want to know why mothers dress their little girls like hookers, but seemed surprised when they’re treated that way.  I want to know why you let your babies dance along with soulja boy “off in this hoe.” Why you would allow a little misogynist to make a cum-stained Superman’s-cape dreamscape for your child.I want to know why.

It’s been said that wisdom comes with age

I beg to differ.

I have many more questions today than I had when I was innocent

I want to know why